FORECAST UPDATE: Texas Flooding Disaster Declaration
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a Disaster Declaration for multiple Texas counties Friday as severe weather and flooding from a tropical disturbance approaches the state.
“The tropical disturbance impacting the Texas coast poses a threat of imminent disaster, including severe flooding, property damage and potential loss of life,” said Governor Abbott. “While we stand ready to deploy state resources to assist local officials in their response efforts, it is critical that all Texans in the storm’s path are prepared to ensure their own safety.”
Counties included in the disaster declaration are:
Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Fayette, Fort Bend, Frio, Galveston, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kenedy, Kerr, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Lavaca, Lee, Liberty, Live Oak, Llano, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Montgomery, Nueces, Polk, Real, Refugio, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Trinity, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Zapata and Zavala.
Flash flood watches have been issued for these counties as several inches of rain is expected. As the center of low pressure moves inland, the threat for heavy rain will push west of Interstate 35 in southern Texas. The storm system will continue to spin moisture into Texas, leading to rounds of heavy rain over saturated soil.
Due to saturated soil, swollen rivers and several inches of additional rain in the forecast, all residents in the area are urged to take precautions and use common sense when encountering flood waters. Moderate to major flooding is possible along area rivers this weekend.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Nick Merianos
