Austin-Area Weather: Mother Nature Unleashes From Nine To 16 Inches Of Rain [UPDATED]

AUSTIN, TX -- Mother Nature unleashed her fury in Central Texas, dumping nine inches of rain across the Austin-area landscape Sunday night, leaving traffic accidents and high-water rescues in the aftermath with rain continuing into Monday.

The strongest showers occurred last night in the Austin area. East of Austin, residents saw up to 16 inches of rain.

The strongest part of the storm front has now moved eastward, with errant paths to Caldwell and Hays counties.

Houston has borne the brunt of the storms, with some 16 inches of rain in the past 24 hours. Some people there are trapped in their homes -- the water too high for them t leave -- and emergency crews have gone on more than 70 rescues at low-water crossings.

According to ATXfloods.com, there are 129 crossings in Travis, Bastrop, Hays and Williamson counties that have been closed. Officials urge all motorists to check for those crossings and avoid trying to drive through them -- a maneuver that has cost lives in past years.

More heavy rain is expected Monday. Given the already-saturated earth, this means that flash flooding is all but a foregone conclusion in some areas.

On Monday, up to three more inches was being predicted by the National Weather Service and other officials. Some isolated areas could get up to six inches of rain.

The rain is expected to continue until Tuesday in the first part of the day. After about 1 p.m., rain chances decrease to 30 percent on that day but then increase again to 50 percent by Wednesday.

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From April 17:

AUSTIN, TX -- Continuous rainfall Sunday -- with more heavy rains forecast for the next 24 hours -- have prompted school officials throughout the region to delay classes for Monday morning.

Austin Independent School District officials released an advisory notifying parents of a two-hour delay for classes on Monday.

"Based on the forecast from the National Weather Service concerning hazards during the morning commute and for the safety of our students, AISD will have a 2-hour delayed start for schools on Monday, April 18, 2016," school officials wrote on their website on social media forums.

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"Austin ISD takes the safety of our students, families and staff very seriously, and will continue to monitor the weather and receive updates from the National Weather Service," officials wrote.

They suggested several sites to visit for the latest weather updates: the district's website, Twitter (@AustinISD) or Facebook page and AISD TV Channel 22.

The Del Valle and Eanes school districts also reported delays in classes for Monday.

As of late Sunday, Round Rock ISD officials hadn't determined whether or not to delay classes for their students: "We are monitoring inclement weather," officials wrote on their Twitter page. "We will post info if there's a change."

They posted their protocols in deciding weather to issue delay notices, but hadn't decided whether or not such a delay was necessary.

Leander ISD officials did make a determination, also delaying the start of school by two hours for Monday.

"As the Central Texas area prepares for more rainfall, LISD will delay school by two hours for Monday, April 18, 2016," officials wrote. "Buses will run their regular routes, only two hours later. All morning Pre-K classes and morning events have been canceled, and no morning breakfast will be served."

LISD officials added they'd be keeping up with updates, but urged parents to do the same: "We will continue to monitor the weather and keep you informed if more changes to the schedule occur. As always, use your best judgment and stay safe."

Another two-hour delay will occur at Pflugerville ISD schools.

"Pflugerville ISD has implemented a 2-hour delay for Monday, April 18 due to continued forecasts for early morning rain and potential flooding," district officials wrote. "Elementary classes will start at 9:40 a.m., middle school classes will start at 10:05 a.m. and high school classes will start at 11 a.m."

Afterwards, buses will operate normal hours.

"Buses will operate their regular bus routes two hours later than their normal time," district officials wrote. "Pre-Kindergarten classes in the morning are canceled; afternoon Pre-Kindergarten classes will be held as usual. The school day will end at the normal time.

The National Weather Service website is a good source to turn to for up-to-the-minute weather updates. Forecasters there predict heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding through Monday night.

The University of Texas at Austin also announced delays for Monday as a result of a potentially hazardous commute.

"Due to severe weather and the threat of flash flooding, The University of Texas at Austin will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 18," school officials wrote. "Normal operations will commence at that time."

All classes are cancelled until 10 am., UT officials wrote.

"Students should follow faculty instructions with regard to those class start times," UT officials added, referring to classed that would have begun at 10 a.m. Faculty members were advised to communicate with students directly to that effect.

Additionally, UT officials noted UT shuttle buses would begin running service at 8:45 a.m.

"The university asks that supervisors work with employees who have children in school districts that have delayed starts or are closed for the day to meet their needs," UT officials continued. "Essential personnel, defined by www.policies.utexas.edu/policies/emergency-leave, are asked to report as requested by your supervisor."

Austin Community College classes also will be delayed until 10 a.m. Monday. Updates will be posted on the ACC homepage, Facebook, and Twitter, ACC officials said in a statement.

St. Edward's University officials also have decided to delay classes by two hours, an announcement they made via Twitter.

Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Central Texas. Austin-Travis County EMS officials performed three low-water crossing rescues between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunday, officials said via Twitter.

Additionally, EMS crews responded to 29 separate traffic accidents occurring as a result of slick roadways.

Via email, Williamson County Operations Center officials reported on their crews having assisted in a pair of water rescues as well: A homeowner in Granger living on Davila Street and a motorist stranded in a vehicle on Colorado Street.

Lake levels got so high earlier, Lower Colorado River Authority officials opened the floodgates at Mansfield dam -- the first time such action has been taken in nine years. The reason for the move to control flooding was twofold: Lake Travis already was 100 percent full, and the ground is saturated from recent rains -- perfect ingredients for flooding.

The opening of the floodgates was done to control the flow of water from Lake Travis to Lake Austin.

The water rescues taking place today should serve as a reminder of the powerful force of raging floodwaters, and the danger in trying to drive across low-water crossings.

As a reminder of those dangers, Travis County Emergency Services officials re-released a dramatic video illustrating the potential peril of driving through water crossings.

Click here to view that video, and share with your friends and loved ones to help keep them safe.

"Travis County encourages everyone to monitor the weather and stay alert for flash flooding in their neighborhood," spokeswoman Lisa Block wrote in an advisory. "Travis County is monitoring the situation and readying resources as we face what could quickly become a flash flood."

Everyone is urged to monitor www.atxfloods.com for low-water crossing closures, she wrote. Also, residents are encourgaed to visit Travis County Emergency Services Twitter page @TravisCountyES for updates.

"Be safe," Block says in ending her missive.

Indeed. And as it relates to low-water crossings: "Turn around, don't drown."