Austin weather: Dozens of low-water crossings closed in Central Texas

The Brief

  • Heavy overnight rain forced the closure of at least 35 low-water crossings across northern Central Texas communities, including Georgetown, Round Rock, and Liberty Hill.
  • The South Fork of the San Gabriel River in Georgetown spiked to a moderate flood stage before receding, keeping an official flood warning in effect until midnight.
  • The heaviest rain has moved northeast, leaving only a minor risk for isolated weekend storms with expected totals under a quarter-inch before a drying trend begins next week.

AUSTIN Torrential overnight downpours triggered flash flooding across parts of Central Texas, pushing a river past its flood stage and forcing the closure of dozens of roads and low-water crossings.

The heaviest rainfall concentrated in Williamson County, where radar estimates indicated around 6 inches of rain just east of Liberty Hill. Private backyard rain gauges in the area reported totals as high as 8 inches.

The deluge caused the South Fork of the San Gabriel River in Georgetown to rise rapidly, cresting just over 13 feet and reaching a moderate flood stage. While flood stage for the river is set at 9 feet, water levels receded below that threshold by approximately 5 a.m. Saturday.

Flood warning

Despite the receding river, authorities warned that a flood warning remains in effect until midnight. At least 35 low-water crossings and roads were reported closed across northern communities, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, and Liberty Hill.

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