Austin weather: Heavy rain causes flash flooding

AUSTIN, Texas - Heavy rain is creating problems across Central Texas. 

Barton Springs is temporarily closed because of flooding and several roads have flooded.

Barton Springs Pool closed due to flooding

What they're saying:

The recent rain has sent Barton Creek rushing over into the pool, covering the area with mud, debris, and fast-moving water. Austin resident Richard Noster said he swims there almost every day.

"I swim almost every day year-round, whether it's hot or cold," Austin resident Richard Noster said.

He said it has been years since it looked like it does now.

"It's probably been three or four years; I don't keep track. We're overdue for a good washout as the pool kind of builds up debris under, you know, they can't clean up," Noster said.

Although inconvenient, Noster understands the closure is for safety reasons.

"Does this put a little damper on your plans then?" FOX 7 Austin reporter Meredith Aldis asked Noster.

"Oh yes, no swimming for a week or so, however long it takes them to clean it up to make sure there are no dangerous objects that have entered the pool and put swimmers at risk," Noster said.

Dig deeper:

The same storm system that closed Barton Springs pool for no telling how long, is also causing problems on roadways across Central Texas. More than 100 low water crossings were closed Monday as creeks and streams continued to rise.

As more rain remains in the forecast, emergency officials are urging people to stay off flooded roads and never drive around barricades.

Austin-Travis County EMS reported having to rescue at least two people from their vehicles. One at Old Kimbro Road and FM 1100 in Manor and another on Old San Antonio Road in South Austin. ATCEMS said those people are now safe.

Central Texas flooding

Big picture view:

Heavy rainfall triggered flash flood warnings and alerts across several Central Texas counties Monday morning. 

Austin Fire Department Capt. Ryan Arencibia said morning traffic accidents double the typical daily average for the department.

"Anywhere that's going to be near creeks or low water crossings is always going to be the area that's going to cause the most hazards," Capt. Ryan Arencibia said.

In Waco, the morning rush hour came to a standstill on I-35 as rising water completely submerged a portion of the highway.

The heavy rainfall extended south into Austin, heavily impacting McKinney Falls State Park in Southeast Austin. Water levels at Onion Creek rose rapidly, forcing park officials to close several trails that remain inaccessible to visitors.

In South Austin, Austin Fire Department crews responded to an emergency on Old San Antonio Road, where a driver became trapped inside a minivan submerged in nearly two feet of rushing water.

First responders had to break the vehicle's window, secure a life jacket onto the driver, and pull them to safety. Arencibia noted that the driver had actively bypassed safety measures already put in place.

"This morning's incident was actually one that had a barrier on it," Arencibia said. "So the individual was trying to go to work, and they decided to go around the barrier in order to try to make it work. And they ended up stuck in the middle of a low water crossing."

Arencibia warned motorists that even minimal water on the roadway presents significant danger. 

"Those barriers protect from going in the water—where they're at six inches of water, you can stall out your vehicle."

The flash flooding required multi-agency responses. To the northeast, the Manor Police Department had to deploy air support to assist a vehicle stranded in a deep low-water crossing.

"I think it was just one of those situations where they thought they could make it through the water and got midway there and found out that they couldn’t," said Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps.

Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate 24-hour emergency operations.

Local officials caution that the danger has not passed, with more rain expected to hit already oversaturated ground.

"We do have more rain coming throughout the rest of this week," Phipps said. "The ground is already pretty saturated. And so the message we really want to push is don't enter those low water crossings."

Officials are advising Central Texas residents to stay home if possible. For those who must travel, emergency personnel urge drivers to slow down and remember the standard safety protocol: "Turn around, don’t drown."

Elevated rain chances remain in the forecast for Tuesday, keeping the risk of additional flash flooding high. Residents are encouraged to remain weather-aware and ensure they have emergency alerts enabled on their mobile devices.

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