Flood Advisory Issued For Much Of Central Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS — A large swatch of Central Texas — all of Williamson County and large portions of Travis and Hays counties — are under an urban and small stream flood advisory until 5 p.m. Monday, National Weather Service officials said.

The work week began with strong storms throughout the area, with heavy rain dumping up to two inches in some areas. Officials urge residents to be vigilant for excessive runoff from small creeks and stream and be mindful of not crossing past areas of high water on roadways.

Things are far worse in Junction, Texas, in Kimble County — 141 miles west of Austin — where the Llano River has flooded. As of 8 a.m., water at the Llano River in Junction was at 27.66 feet in the area, according to Lower Colorado River Authority officials. For some perspective: The "bank full" stage in the area is 12 feet, with flood stage achieved at 16 feet. The river had already reached the flood stage by around 6:10 a.m., LCRA officials noted. In a single hour, the river rose about 20 feet, officials said.

According to game wardens, at least 19 people have been rescued in Junction since early morning, and four people reportedly were still missing late Monday after being swept away by strong currents. An RV park in Junction was decimated by the flooding as the large vehicles were swept away in raging currents as if they were toy cars, as tweeted photos from emergency crews illustrated.

By nightfall, those floodwaters were expected to arrive at Lake LBJ in a matter of hours. Residents living in the midst of that water path were readying to evacuate well into the night to avoid the incoming torrents.

According to rain gauges monitored by the Lower Colorado River Authority, the Austin metro area has received some three-quarters of an inch of rain since midnight, primarily west of Interstate 35. Rainfall is even stronger in the Hill Country region, where more than an inch of rain has fallen in the western portion of Llano County.

Motorists are urged to visit ATXfloods.com for a look at impassable low-water crossings. Among roads that have been closed to traffic because of heavy water accumulation are crossings are three in Cedar Park at 2402 Peach Tree Lane in Cedar Park; 2348 Cypress Lane; and 805 Cedar Park Dr. All told, 46 crossings are now closed, according to the ATXfloods.com website.

Graphic via National Weather Service

Rain is expected to linger through Tuesday, forecasters say, with the potential for severe weather. The rain is expected to clear out by Wednesday. The chances much of the region would get rain on Monday was something of a foregone conclusion given the forecast 60 percent probability predicted by NWS forecasters ahead of the downpours.

The chance of showers and thunderstorms remains through Monday evening, mainly before 7 pm, according to forecasters. On Tuesday, there will be a 70 percent chance of continued rain, with rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. By Tuesday night, the chance of showers and thunderstorms decreases to 50 percent before 1 a.m.

By Wednesday, the sun will reappear. It's expected to be sunny with a nigh near 83 degrees, according to the NWS forecast. It'll be much the same on Thursday, when it's expected to be sunny with a high near 81 degrees. Friday will be virtually a carbon copy, mostly sunny with a high near 81 degrees, forecasters predict.

But the chances for more rain reemerge by Friday night, albeit with lesser likelihood. Friday night calls for partly cloudy conditions with a low at around 63 degrees. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms emerges on Saturday, when it will be mostly sunny with a high near 80 degrees. The chance of rain grows to 30 percent by Saturday night. Showers and thunderstorms could potentially develop, and the low temperature will be a crisp 66 degrees.

Depending on where you are, Sunday could be a rain-bereft fun day. A 40 percent chance of the wet stuff if possible under mostly cloudy conditions and a high near 73 degrees, according to weather forecasters at the NWS.

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