Texas Weather Update: Flash Flood Warning In Austin, Houston Sees 10-Inch Rainfall

UPDATE: 7.00 a.m. EDT - A flash flood warning was in effect for several parts of Texas including Austin and Houston after thunderstorms caused flooding across the state. Kingwood was the worst hit area with over 400 homes flooded. Hundreds of students were stranded at their schools in Kingwood because of flooded streets.

Original story:

A flash flood warning was issued for Austin, Texas, until 1:30 a.m. local time (2.30 a.m. EDT) Wednesday after heavy rainfall caused flooding in low-lying areas.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings for Travis and Williamson counties until 10:45 p.m. and for Hays County until 11:45 p.m. While thunderstorms have already brought up to two inches of rainfall in the counties, another two inches is expected to fall before 11 p.m. Some areas could also witness up to three inches of rainfall.

“Since soils are already saturated from recent rainfall, flash flooding is expected to begin shortly,” NWS said. "If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately. Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property,” NWS warned.

Several low water crossings were closed in Austin following heavy rainfall. A dozen power outages were also reported in the city.

A flood advisory was also issued for Central Texas including Round Rock, Cedar Park, The Hills and Liberty Hill.

"Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots,” the weather service said.

Meanwhile, Houston was one of the worst affected areas with several motorists and school children left stranded for hours as floodwaters filled up the streets Tuesday afternoon. Speaking to the Weather Channel, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said boats and high water rescue vehicles were used to rescue stranded people.

“We have people that are actually in flooded-out cars that are too deep to get to on foot,” he said.

Schools in Houston areas including the New Caney and Cleveland Independent School District canceled classes Wednesday. Kingwood area received up to10 inches of rain and the Houston Fire Department said it received over 250 calls for high water rescues.

“Hundreds of homes have been affected by rising water in the Kingwood area. HFD has boots on the ground to check and clear those homes,” department spokeswoman Sheldra Brigham tweeted.

Sugar Land is another worst affected area with all the major roads becoming impassable. The city spokesman Doug Adolph said rainfall has surpassed the storm drain capacity of the city.

“We’re seeing conditions that are far worse than what we experienced during Hurricane Harvey. What we’re seeing is widespread street flooding throughout the city. Fortunately we have not had a large number of reports of structural flooding but we are seeing some,” he told the Weather Channel.