HOUSTON — Severe flooding and flash flood alerts stretched across parts of Texas, Louisiana and other southern U.S. regions Monday as heavy rainfall continued to drench already saturated areas, the National Weather Service said.
Flood watches and warnings covered large swaths of South and Central Texas, the Texas Gulf Coast, Louisiana and parts of the broader South on Monday, with forecasters warning of life-threatening flash flooding from repeated rounds of thunderstorms. More than 10 million people in Texas alone faced elevated risks, according to Weather Prediction Center outlooks.
The National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood warnings for areas including Austin, Waco and surrounding counties in Central Texas, where torrential downpours dumped several inches of rain in short periods. Water rescues were reported on Interstate 35 south of Waco and in South Austin, where first responders pulled a driver from a stranded minivan at a low-water crossing, officials said.
Texas Game Wardens and local partners responded to numerous calls for people trapped by floodwaters, authorities reported. Videos from the scene showed vehicles stranded in high water on major highways.
"Turn around, don't drown" remained the key message from emergency officials as flooding affected low-lying areas, roads and urban spots.
In Louisiana, flood watches extended across much of the state amid expectations of additional heavy rain through midweek. Forecasters noted saturated soils from prior rainfall would lead to rapid runoff and heightened flash flood potential.
The Weather Prediction Center placed portions of the region under a high-end excessive rainfall risk, with some areas facing Level 3 out of 4 threats for multiple days. Rainfall totals of several inches, and locally higher amounts, were possible through Tuesday and into Wednesday.
The flooding comes amid a pattern of repeated heavy rain events across the South in recent weeks. No widespread fatalities or major structural damage figures were immediately available Monday, though officials continued to monitor rising waters and road conditions.
Emergency management teams urged residents to avoid flooded roadways and stay informed through local alerts. Some low-water crossings and roads remained closed in affected Texas counties.
As of Monday evening, flood alerts continued in multiple states, with the potential for additional rounds of rain later in the week. Details on the full extent of impacts remained fluid as conditions evolved, the National Weather Service said.
