Search for victims is suspended as central Texas braces for more flash flooding

Earlier Sunday morning, thunderstorms producing 2 to 4 inches of rain per hour drifted into northern Llano and Burnet counties, according to the National Weather Service, which warned that “flooding is now ongoing or is expected to begin soon.”

“Significant rain has fallen and flooding is expected to develop shortly, particularly over Llano county,” the weather service said.

The rain is expected to move southeast into the Hill Country region and the southern Edwards Plateau, the weather service said. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are forecast in the heaviest storms.

“Do not drive into flooded roads or around barricades,” the weather service warned.

Flash flood warnings have been issued in multiple cities across central Texas, including Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Llano, Cherry Spring, Buchanan Lake Village, Buchanan Dam, Valley Spring, Watson, Bertram and Briggs until 4 p.m. local time, according to the weather service’s field office for Austin and San Antonio.

In total, 31 million people are under flood alerts across the Plains to the Northeast on Sunday afternoon. In the South, alerts stretch from New Mexico to Arkansas, where an additional 1 to 6 inches of rain will be possible through Sunday night.

Alerts also stretch from western New York to Virginia including Syracuse, New York; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Lynchburg, Virginia. Slow-moving thunderstorms will linger over these areas, increasing the risk for flash flooding. Alerts remain in effect through early Monday morning as 2 to 4 inches of rain, locally higher, will be possible. There is also a slight risk of severe weather in this region, affecting parts of New York and Pennsylvania with storms capable of damaging winds and frequent lightning.

In Williamson County, Texas, officials warned that flash flooding is occurring due to a surge in the San Gabriel River and advised residents not to drive in the floodwaters. The northwestern part of the county is under a flash flood warning until 10 a.m. local time.

Kerr County, which was hit especially hard in last week’s floods, is also under a flash flood warning until 11:30 a.m. local time, the city of Kerrville announced on Facebook. Heavy rain has already begun falling in the city, according to the Kerrville Police Department.

Video posted to Instagram showed what appears to be floodwaters and downed trees near the Guadalupe River. The river surged 8 to 9 feet in Hunt, Texas, on Sunday morning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Seven feet is considered a flood stage.

The Guadalupe River is not forecast to hit any major flood stages at this time.

“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the city warned. “Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”