CENTRAL TEXAS — New flash flood warnings were issued Wednesday morning for Gillespie, Blanco and Hays counties, extending through 3:30 p.m., as repeated rounds of heavy rain hit the region.
Fredericksburg/Gillespie County Emergency Management said between 1 and 2 inches of rain had fallen by early Wednesday morning, with another 1 to 2 inches possible within the original warning area.
By midmorning, widespread rainfall totals across the region had reached 1 to 3 inches, according to CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco.
Emergency management officials advised residents to avoid roadways with low-water crossings until warnings expire.
"If you must travel, drive slowly to watch for high water," officials said. "Turn around - don't drown!"
Several roads were already reporting water over the pavement early Wednesday. Emergency management officials reported water across Highway 16 and Oak Ridge Road, as well as at FM 2093 (Tivydale Road) and Pump House Road, where about 1 inch of water was reported. Coonrod-Grona Road had roughly 6 inches of water over the roadway as of 3:50 a.m., according to the agency.
By 9 a.m., officials said multiple low-water crossings countywide had high water flowing across them, and that law enforcement, dispatch and county road crews were working through a list of locations to place warning signage.
The Gillespie County Sheriff's Office echoed that warning, saying several vehicles had already hydroplaned and ended up in ditches amid wet road conditions.
Emergency officials said the county's Emergency Operations Center is coordinating with National Weather Service hydrologists in Austin/San Antonio. As of midday Wednesday, the Pedernales River was nearing action phase, or "yellow" category, at 11.16 feet with a flow of 2,928 cubic feet per second.
Based on rainfall already recorded on the east side of the watershed and the current storm pattern, the National Weather Service projects the river could approach or reach minor flood stage, 21 to 22 feet, or "orange" category.
Officials asked landowners in the flood plain's action-phase zone to begin moving belongings away from the river and to prepare for water to pool in low-lying areas, with further updates expected as conditions develop.
CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco said the newest flash flood warnings, issued at 10:30 a.m., cover Gillespie, Blanco and Hays counties until 3:30 p.m.
He said additional torrential rainfall lined up south of Blanco County and near San Marcos could cause more significant flash flooding within the warning area.
Runoff from the rain has been moving quickly into creeks and streams and eventually into the Pedernales River, Tomasco said.
The warnings come a day after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 59 Texas counties, including Gillespie County, as severe storms and flash flooding threatened much of the state. That declaration authorized the use of state and local resources to respond to flooding across the affected region.
Tomasco said additional rounds of heavy rain are expected to continue moving through Central Texas, with the Hill Country under an elevated flood risk.