7 to 9 Inches of Rain Threatens South Texas as Ground Saturates
Governor Abbott has mobilized state resources for cities like San Antonio and Corpus Christi, where flash flood warnings remain in effect through Monday morning.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
Meteorologists forecast that some areas of southern Texas will accumulate 7 to 9 inches of rain by Monday morning. Slower-moving storms are training over the region, dropping moisture on ground that is already saturated. This heavy precipitation creates a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat for much of the area.
The National Weather Service has placed a flood watch on several major cities, including San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Brownsville, and Kerrville. The warning remains in effect through Monday morning. Most of these communities are likely to see widespread rainfall totals between 2 and 5 inches. Local officials are urging residents to stay weather aware and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
Rainfall rates have been intense. Some areas near Kingsville and east of Laredo have already recorded more than 5 inches of rain since Sunday morning. For the remainder of Sunday, some parts of the region could see rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The weather pattern is expected to linger, affecting Monday's morning commute with moderate to heavy rain.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the state Division of Emergency Management to increase its response capabilities on Friday. Abbott stated that the state is prepared to handle the heavy rainfall and flash floods across South and West Texas. He instructed the agency to mobilize additional resources to support local officials and protect residents.
"I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to mobilize additional state emergency response resources to support local officials and help protect Texans," Abbott said. "I urge all Texans to remain weather aware, monitor local forecasts, avoid flooded roadways, and heed guidance from state and local officials."
This threat arrives shortly after severe flooding hit the border region of Tennessee and Georgia. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, on Thursday. Those cities experienced catastrophic conditions after 6 to 9 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. The Ocoee River rose to a record 18.05 feet, surpassing its previous high of 17.8 feet set in February 1990.
