Flood Watch Issued as 6 Inches of Rain Expected Amid Thunderstorms
The National Weather Service has issued flood watch warnings throughout Texas amid growing concerns of "excessive rainfall" in the coming days.
The warnings have been put into place from the east to west borders of the state, with Texas facing a huge onslaught of heavy rain this week. The most affected areas will include the Southern Concho Valley, Southern Heartland, Northern Edwards Plateau, and Northwest Hill Country.
These conditions are expected to begin around 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, April 30, and could last until Friday evening. Heavy showers and thunderstorms will appear throughout the state; the NWS has warned residents to take care when travelling on roads in reduced visibility.
One to three inches of rain is expected throughout Texas, with localized totals reaching six inches in some areas. This could make travel particularly difficult, resulting in dangerous road conditions and potential property damage. Flash flooding is possible in particularly wet or low areas.
"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," the NWS explained.
The news comes after a particularly severe stretch of weather in the Midwest, including northern Texas, last week. Over 20 confirmed tornadoes were reported across the country, with heavy thunderstorms and wind speeds of 90 mph forecast in the most extreme cases.
While this severe weather is beginning to die down in the rest of the country, Texas still has a few days to go. This increased downpour will be a welcome surprise for the state's flora and fauna, however, which has been suffering from drought over the past few weeks.
Official advice from the NWS warns residents not to drove over roadways covered in water or attempt to swim through flowing waters, and conditions may be more troublesome than they appear.
Any further warnings or advisories can be found on the National Weather Service's official website, which should be checked regularly in the affected areas.