Austin Area Streets Closed For High Water

AUSTIN, TX — At least 30 crossings remained closed on Friday morning throughout the Austin area due to high water following strong rain that pelted the area overnight and yielded flooding in some parts.

With a potency that took many by surprise after pleasant, autumnal-like climate throughout the week, powerful storms dumped between one to three inches of rain in the area — with some areas getting even more. The downpour yielded a flash flood warning from meteorologists late Thursday night, and the after-effects are seen in the number of road closings to deter drivers from passing through areas where there is an accumulation of high water.

Central Texas is particularly prone to flash flooding given arid conditions during the summer that often extend well past that period. Because soil is often bone dry, water tends to disperse rapidly during sudden and heavy downpours, yielding conditions ripe for flooding.

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Such was the case last night, when the National Weather Service issued its flash flood warning. Despite the expiration of the warning, dangerous after-effects remain that could be potentially lethal to motorists. The state has adopted the slogan "Turn Around, Don't Drown" as something of a motorists' mantra to dissuade drivers from driving through high water crossings — at their own peril as many have perished while attempting that dangerous maneuver.

The high-water crossing in the immediate area that remain closed to traffic as a result of last night's rain include:

• Summit Street at Brushy Creek/Memorial Park in Round Rock. Closed at 9?45 p.m. on Thursday.
• 2400 Sumac Lane in Cedar Park was closed last night at 9:12 p.m., and also remains blocked off to traffic.
• 2348 Cypress Lane in Cedar Park, closed at 9:12 p.m.
• 2402 Peach Tree Lane in Cedar Park, closed at 9:12 p.m.

Other closings in the region are found in Lockhart, Miller's Lake, Hays County, Kyle, Buda, Bastop County and elsewhere. To see the full list, visit ATXFloods.com. Some of those crossings are outfitted with surveillance cameras, enabling visitors to the website to view conditions in real time to those needing further convincing of dangerous conditions — lingering well after the expiration of a flash flood warning from weather officials.