Central Texas braces for flooding brought on by “Bill”

By Alexandria Randolph

As south Texas is ravaged by Tropical Storm Bill, Central Texas residents brace for more rainfall and possible flooding.

The National Weather Service flash flood watch was issued for Burnet, Llano, Blanco, Williamson, Travis and surrounding counties effective until midday Thursday. The watch stated the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill, which made landfall near Matagorda Bay Tuesday morning, will move northwest across south central Texas Tuesday afternoon, generating “bands of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall today (Tuesday) through Thursday morning” across the I-35 corridor.

Rainfall between three to six inches are possible along and east of US 281 with localized amounts between eight and 12 inches possible.
“Depending on the exact track of the storm, the higher rainfall axis could end up being either farther west or east,” the watch stated. “Rainfall will be spotty with some locations remaining dry.”

A local tropical storm statement issued by the National Weather Service said “major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in many places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos and ditches may become dangerous rivers.”

The statement encouraged those living along rivers and tributaries to be prepared, check-in with family members, “keep cell phones charged and handy,” and “closely monitor NOAA weather radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast.”

See this page for further updates.