A flood watch is in effect for much of West and Central Texas and southeast New Mexico as moisture from Vance, a Pacific storm that reached hurricane strength earlier this week, streams north. The National Weather Service warns of potentially life-threatening flash flooding from tonight, Oct. 29, into the weekend, with Midland-Odessa, Lubbock, Del Rio and surrounding communities in the target zone.
The heaviest rain is expected overnight, when floodwater on roads is hardest to see. That is the detail drivers most need to hear.
Where is the flood watch for Vance’s remnants?
The Weather Prediction Center placed a stretch from Del Rio north to Lubbock under a Level 2 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall today. Communities in the path include the Midland-Odessa area, Lubbock, the South Plains, Big Spring, Fort Stockton, Alpine and Eagle Pass. In New Mexico, Hobbs, Carlsbad and the Guadalupe Mountains are also at risk.
Forecast models have shifted the heaviest rain west. That means the Interstate 35 corridor, including Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, will likely miss the worst of it, though a lower Level 1 flash flood risk still stretches from Oklahoma through Central Texas.
How much rain will Vance bring to Texas?
Many areas could see 1 to 3 inches, with isolated spots picking up 4 to 6 inches or more, according to the NWS outlook cited by the Daily Mail. AccuWeather’s worst case calls for up to 12 inches in isolated parts of Texas between Tonight and Friday night, though most places will see far less…