Storm System Brings Heavy Rain And Flood Threat From Texas Into Midwest

DALLAS, Texas (TXAN 24) — A sprawling storm system fueled by deep tropical moisture is bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and flash-flood concerns from Texas through portions of the central United States Thursday, with the system’s broader moisture plume extending toward the northern Plains and Canada.

The most significant impacts are currently centered across portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, where multiple rounds of rain are expected as a slow-moving frontal boundary pushes eastward.

In Texas, the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office has issued flood-related alerts covering portions of North and Central Texas. Forecasters are warning that repeated thunderstorms could produce significant rainfall and rapidly rising water, particularly in areas that receive multiple rounds of storms.

The Weather Prediction Center is highlighting portions of the Southern Plains for excessive rainfall, with locally intense rainfall rates capable of producing flash flooding. Some areas could receive several inches of rain, while isolated locations may record substantially higher totals where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same locations.

Across Texas, rainfall totals will vary considerably by location. Parts of North and Central Texas could see 2 to 4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible. Areas that experience repeated thunderstorms could see rainfall accumulate much faster than surrounding locations.

The system is expected to continue moving east and northeast through the Thursday night into Friday period, bringing additional opportunities for heavy rain and thunderstorms across parts of Texas and the central United States. Conditions should gradually improve behind the system as the frontal boundary moves east.

The primary concern for Texans remains flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, creeks, drainage areas and locations that receive repeated heavy thunderstorms.

Officials are urging motorists to avoid flooded roadways. Even relatively shallow moving water can make roads dangerous, and motorists should never attempt to drive through water covering a roadway.

TXAN 24 News will continue monitoring the storm system and its impacts across Texas as additional forecasts and rainfall totals become available.