More rain will hit Texas this weekend, with localized amounts as high as 8 inches, only a week after the region was inundated with flash floods.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued widespread flood watches across the Lonestar State on Friday, warning of additional heavy rainfall that could cause further flooding.
Why It Matters
Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. behind extreme heat.
The new round of flood watches signals potential renewed threats in communities that are still reeling from the deadly floods that swept the Texas Hill Country over the Independence Day weekend. More than 100 people were killed by the floods, including 27 young campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
What To Know
The NWS indicated that persistent storms and a slow-moving cold front could produce rainfall totals between 2 and 5 inches in much of western and central Texas, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 8 inches.
Meteorologists placed large swathes of west, central and southeast Texas, as well as nearby regions in southeast New Mexico, under a flood watch. Impacted areas include major cities and rural communities such as Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Abilene, Brownwood, Pecos, Andrews and Kermit, with watches also covering Concho Valley, Heartland and the Guadalupe and Davis Mountains.
Flood watches are set to take effect on Saturday afternoon and continue through at least Sunday afternoon for most affected counties. Meteorologists warn that as a weak cold front moves southward across the region, thunderstorms will develop and expand, intensifying overnight and into Sunday morning.
Saturated ground conditions—resulting from previous storms—are expected to worsen the risk of flash flooding.
Officials have emphasized that the expected rainfall could quickly overwhelm rivers, streams and urban drainage systems. Low-water crossings are especially vulnerable and could become impassable.
The NWS urges all residents in flood-prone areas to be especially vigilant. Flood warnings may be issued with short notice, and officials advise anyone living in or traveling through the region to avoid driving through flooded roads and to monitor local alerts closely.
What People Are Saying
NWS warning coordination meteorologist Mike Castillo, who works at the San Angelo office, told Newsweek: “What we don’t know is which locations are going to see those rainfall amounts. We can’t say if it will specifically be over the areas that had flooding last weekend, but any rainfall we get…those areas are more prone to flash flooding, as opposed to the areas that did get rain but didn’t have flooding issues we saw last week.”
NWS Midland, in a flood watch: “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”
What Happens Next
Flood watches remain in effect through Sunday afternoon, with additional updates and potential flood warnings likely as weather developments unfold. Recovery and search operations continue in areas affected by last weekend’s floods, and state and federal resources remain on alert.
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