Austin and surrounding areas are under a weather alert this evening as powerful thunderstorms sweep across Central Texas, bringing heavy downpours, lightning, and flash flooding risks. Rainfall rates may exceed 1 inch per hour, especially during the evening commute, creating hazardous driving conditions from Austin to San Antonio and throughout the Hill Country.
What’s Happening Now
According to the National Weather Service in Austin-San Antonio, storms that moved in from the Houston area this morning are expanding westward, intensifying over Travis, Bexar, Hays, and Comal counties. Some of the stronger cells could dump large amounts of rain in a short time—enough to cause urban street flooding and traffic delays.
So far, steady rain is already falling in areas like Round Rock, New Braunfels, and San Marcos, with more intense rainfall tracking toward San Antonio. Lightning activity is also picking up across the region.
Flash Flood Risk for Central Texas
Rainfall rates over 1 inch per hour are especially dangerous for Central Texas, which has a long history of flash flooding, especially when storms stall over low-lying areas. Cities and towns from Fredericksburg to Kerrville and along major roads like U.S. 281 and I-10 should be on high alert.
Expect:
Reduced visibility while driving
Ponding on roadways
Sudden flooding at low-water crossings
Slowdowns or road closures during the evening commute
What Drivers and Residents Should Do
With storms continuing into tonight, here’s what you need to do:
Avoid low-water crossings, even if they appear shallow
Charge phones and devices in case of power outages
Delay travel if possible, especially during peak rainfall
Use headlights and drive slowly during heavy rain
Monitor local alerts for real-time updates on flood-prone areas
Never attempt to drive through flooded roads—it only takes a few inches of fast-moving water to sweep a vehicle off the road.
Wednesday Outlook
Storms are expected to linger into tonight with additional showers possible Wednesday morning. While the most intense rain is expected Tuesday evening, forecasters may issue more advisories or warnings if conditions worsen overnight.
5-County Impact Overview
| Area | Risk Level | Key Hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Austin (Travis Co.) | High | Heavy rain, lightning, flash flooding |
| San Antonio (Bexar Co.) | High | Downpours, road flooding, traffic delays |
| San Marcos (Hays Co.) | Moderate | Lightning, heavy rain, water over roads |
| New Braunfels (Comal Co.) | High | Strong storms, visibility issues |
| Fredericksburg/Kerrville | Moderate–High | Hill Country runoff, flash flooding risk |
Central Texas is facing a dangerous round of storms, with rainfall totals that could exceed safe driving conditions in just one hour. With flash flooding possible and power outages not ruled out, the public is advised to stay weather-aware, avoid unnecessary travel, and take all flood warnings seriously. The storm threat isn’t over yet, and more rain is expected into Wednesday morning.
