Flash Flood

[SOURCE]
Published Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:07 AM
Flash flood watch in effect for Brazos Valley through Thursday

National Weather Service officials are warning that flooding is possible across much of northern, central and southeastern Texas over the next two days.

Forecasters issued a flash flood watch for areas in north central and northeast Texas -- including Leon, Milam and Robertson counties -- from late tonight through Thursday evening.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

A line of thunderstorms is expected to impact north Texas beginning late tonight and continuing through Thursday, according to the weather service. There is a potential for heavy rainfall. The soil is still saturated from previous heavy rainfall in the past week and another one to two inches of rainfall will likely cause flash flooding, weather officials said.

Some rivers, streams and creeks in the warning area also remain swollen from recent heavy rainfall, and additional runoff will likely lead to more flooding across north Texas, officials said.

A flood warning remained in effect Wednesday for the Navasota River near Easterly, affecting Leon and Robertson counties, until late Saturday night. At 5:31 a.m., minor flooding was occurring, with the river at 22.94 feet, weather officials said. The flood stage is 19 feet. The river is expected to recede later today, but additional rainfall on Thursday may cause another rise in the river, officials said.

Also affecting Leon County is a flood warning for the Trinity River near Long Lake, in effect until further notice, weather officials said.

The river was at 39.22 feet at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the flood stage is 35 feet, officials said. The river will continue to rise to a crest near 43 feet by Saturday morning, then begin falling, according to the weather service.

The weather service on Wednesday also issued a flash flood watch in effect from Thursday morning through evening for areas of southeast Texas, including Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison and Washington counties.

Weather service officials said they forecast excessive rainfall from thunderstorms expected to develop ahead of and along an advancing cold front. Storms are expected to impact the southeast Texas area beginning Thursday morning and last throughout the day.

Most areas can expect one to three inches of rainfall with some areas receiving up to five inches, according to the weather service. This will cause grounds to quickly become saturated and lead to flooding. Runoff from any heavy rainfall across the warning area will also impact already swollen creeks, streams and rivers, officials said