FRIO COUNTY, Texas – Dangerous weather intensified across South-Central Texas early this morning as severe thunderstorms became strong enough to prompt a tornado warning while life-threatening flash flooding continued across the region.
Meteorologists said radar detected rotation within a powerful thunderstorm moving through northwestern Frio County near Frio Town, raising concerns that a tornado could develop. While there were no confirmed reports of a tornado on the ground, the storm showed signs of possible rotation and was capable of producing wind gusts of up to 70 mph.
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The storm tracked north toward Medina County, bringing damaging winds, frequent lightning and torrential rainfall.
The tornado threat developed as parts of the region were already dealing with catastrophic flooding from repeated rounds of heavy rain.
Flash Flood Warnings remained in effect across portions of the western Hill Country and along the U.S. Highway 90 corridor, including areas near Uvalde, Sabinal, Knippa, Concan and Bandera.
Meteorologists said some communities west of San Antonio had already received more than a foot of rain since Tuesday, with additional thunderstorms producing rainfall rates of more than 2 inches per hour Wednesday morning.
Those intense rainfall rates raised concerns that several more inches of rain could fall in a short amount of time, worsening flooding along creeks, rivers and low-water crossings.
Heavy rain also began moving into the San Antonio area Wednesday morning, creating a slow and hazardous commute while the greatest flood threat remained west of the city.
Forecasters urged residents to remain weather aware as conditions continued to evolve, warning that severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and possible tornadoes could develop alongside the ongoing flash flood emergency.