The National Weather Service in the USA has issued warnings for prolonged heavy rainfall for parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Some neighbouring areas of Arkansas and Louisiana may also see heavy rain.
Food or flash flood watches or warnings are now in effect many areas of Texas, several of them until Sunday 25 October 2015. Some parts of southern Oklahoma are also under flash flood watch.
NWS in Austin / San Antonio, Texas, said that up to 4 to 8 inches of rain was likely around the San Antonio and Austin areas, although isolated pockets could reach 12 inches.
The National Weather Service requested that those in the affected areas monitor weather forecasts and information and make plans to get to higher ground if flooding happens.
NWS warned:
A slow-moving frontal system will bring prolonged periods of heavy rain across part of Texas and Oklahoma through the weekend. As much as 3-6 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, is forecast through Saturday. The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding. Remember do not attempt to drive into flooded roadways.
For more about flood safety, see the NWS pages here.
Tropical Cyclone Patricia
The heavy rain in Texas is a result of a slow moving frontal system, but could be made worse by moisture from Tropical Cyclone Patricia, currently located around 180 miles / 300 km south west of Manzanillo city, Colima state in south-western Mexico and moving west-northwest.
30 Flood Rescues in Odessa, Texas
Flooding has already been reported in the city of Odessa, Texas, where more than 3.7 inches / 95 mm of rain fell in 4 hours late on Wednesday 21 October.
The city government of Odessa said that Odessa Fire and Rescue has responded to approximately 30 swift water rescues since midnight, approximately five of those were out of structures.
Local media reports say that as many as 16 houses were flooded, forcing residents to evacuate. Odessa Emergency Management is working with the American Red Cross to establish a shelter for residents displaced by flooding.
Rainfall Figures
WMO figures for 24 hour period from 22 to 23 October 2015:
Dallas-Fort Worth – 65 mm
Abilene – 82 mm
Lubbock – 50.6 mm
