Updated
Updated · Fox Weather · Jun 15
Texas Crews Rescue Stranded Motorists as 25 Million Face Flash Flood Alerts
Updated
Updated · Fox Weather · Jun 15

Texas Crews Rescue Stranded Motorists as 25 Million Face Flash Flood Alerts

3 articles · Updated · Fox Weather · Jun 15

Summary

  • South-Central Texas emergency crews pulled motorists from submerged vehicles as life-threatening flash flooding spread along the I-35 corridor, with rescues reported near Waco, Austin and San Antonio.
  • Rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour — locally 2 to 4 inches — fell on saturated ground, while parts of the Hill Country logged more than 7 inches since Sunday night.
  • Southeastern Hidalgo County had already received 2.5 to 6 inches by midday, prompting a flash flood warning until 1 p.m. CT; South Texas College canceled Mid-Valley classes and told on-site staff to shelter in place.
  • Boerne closed trails and streets as Cibolo Creek overflowed, Austin put swiftwater teams on standby, and Houston's Bush airport imposed ground delays as storms restricted airspace.
  • More than 25 million people from South Texas to Mississippi are under flood alerts this week, with forecasters warning an unnamed Gulf disturbance could still deliver 8 to 12 inches of rain.

Insights

As 'compound extremes' intensify, are last year's green infrastructure investments enough to save cities from unprecedented floods?
With 'Danger Season' now the norm, how can communities survive when devastating heat and floods strike at the same time?
Are we underestimating climate change, as new research suggests extreme weather will worsen much faster than models predicted?