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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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A rare and potentially dangerous flash flood event is unfolding across parts of Texas, with meteorologists warning that some areas could see more than a foot of additional rainfall through Wednesday night as multiple flash flood warnings remain in place across the state.
Flooding is one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), floods and flash floods kill more than 100 people each year, with death tolls often exceeding those of tornadoes. The agency says most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles, as fast-moving water can sweep away a car with little warning.
The NWS has issued and extended numerous flash flood warnings on Tuesday from the Texas Hill Country and areas west of San Antonio to Central Texas, including portions of Uvalde, Medina, Bandera, Bell, Coryell and Milam Counties. Several warnings described the threat as "life-threatening," with rainfall totals already reaching from 5 to 10 inches in some communities.
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CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco described the weather outlook as particularly concerning. "The situation is dynamic and uncertainty is high, but if this new data is to be believed, we could be in for a dangerous night," he posted on X.
He added that the latest forecast guidance showed "additional 6-12" rain totals through Wednesday night. Forecasters are especially concerned about South-Central Texas, where the NWS Weather Prediction Center has issued a rare high risk of flash flooding.
"Unreal. Extremely rare HIGH RISK for flash flooding now in place west of San Antonio to the Rio Grande through 7 AM Wednesday," Tomasco posted on X. "Potential for another 10-20"+ late Tuesday -> 7 AM Wednesday. It's been years since Texas had a high risk flood threat."
An image included with Tomasco's post warned of "catastrophic" flooding.
The meteorologist also noted that the level 3 of 4 flood risk zone had expanded farther east in parts of Travis and Hays counties.
A "high risk" designation is the Weather Prediction Center's most severe category for excessive rainfall and is reserved for conditions in which widespread and potentially catastrophic flash flooding is expected.
The warnings come as torrential rain has already inundated parts of South-Central Texas.
In northeastern Uvalde County, the NWS reported from 5 to 10 inches of rainfall had already fallen by late Tuesday morning, with flash flooding either ongoing or imminent. Similar totals of 4 to 10 inches were reported across parts of Medina County.
Additional warnings covering Bandera, Medina, Uvalde, Frio, Edwards, Kinney and Zavala Counties warned of "life threatening flash flooding" and carried a "considerable" flash flood damage threat designation. Communities including Uvalde, Concan, Sabinal, Knippa, Hondo, Medina, Utopia and Brackettville were among those included in warning areas.
The Austin/San Antonio forecast office repeatedly urged residents to move to higher ground and avoid flooded roadways. "Act quickly to protect your life," one warning said.
Heavy rainfall has also triggered flooding concerns farther north across Central Texas. In Bell County, where communities including Temple, Belton, Harker Heights and Salado were under warning Tuesday afternoon, radar indicated from 1 to 4 inches of rain had already fallen, with more expected.
Elsewhere, portions of Bell and Coryell Counties received up to 3 inches of rainfall, while parts of Milam County saw from 2 to 4 1/2 inches, according to the NWS. Officials warned that small creeks, streams, low-lying roads and urban areas were susceptible to rapid flooding.
Forecast uncertainty remains high, but meteorologists are increasingly focused on the possibility of repeated rounds of thunderstorms training over the same areas overnight.
If the higher-end rainfall projections materialize, already saturated ground could struggle to absorb additional water, increasing the risk of rapidly rising creeks, flooded roadways and dangerous flash flooding.
Residents across the warning areas are being urged to closely monitor forecasts, have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and be prepared to move to higher ground if conditions deteriorate overnight.
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