AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texas is bracing for the possibility of heavy rain and dangerous flash flooding Wednesday into Thursday. State leaders are warning some areas could see up to 10 inches of rain if a cold front stalls over the Austin area.
In downtown Austin, Lamar Boulevard between Ninth and 15th streets is among the roads the city lists as flooding most frequently. When Shoal Creek rises out of its banks, floodwater can cover parking lots, shut down Lamar Boulevard and move into nearby businesses.
Owen Smith works at Thundercloud Subs along Shoal Creek. On Monday, the creek bed behind the restaurant was dry, but he said he knows how fast that can change.
“It’s sounding like there’s a lot of rain coming in the next couple of days, so hopefully we don’t get too much damage. But, I mean, we are—yeah—right on the creek,” Smith said.
Governor Greg Abbott urged Texans to prepare for rapidly rising water and the possibility of becoming trapped on flooded roads.
“Anybody in that area is subject to the possibility of facing fast-moving water, rising water on roads, areas that you get surrounded by and not be able to get out of,” Abbott said. “Please take caution to make sure that you are protecting yourself and your lives.”
The City of Austin also lists portions of Spicewood Springs Road among its roads that flood most frequently. That stretch has automatic closure gates, but officials say barricades and gates do not stop every driver from attempting to cross floodwater.
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Brandye Hendrickson with the Texas Department of Transportation said even a small amount of fast-moving water can be dangerous for motorists.
“Just six inches of fast-moving water can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles,” Hendrickson said.
Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, repeated the state’s flood-safety message.
“Turn around, don’t drown is the most important message we can get out,” Kidd said. “We lose too many lives in people trying to drive through low water in their vehicles.”
Driving around a barricade on a flooded road is a Class B misdemeanor in Texas. Drivers can face up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, and possible rescue costs.
For Smith, the expected rain also brings concern for the first weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. He said he has attended ACL for more than a decade and remembers how much muddy conditions can damage Zilker Park.
“I got ACL coming up this weekend,” Smith said. “Obviously, you know, a very big event. And being on grass, you don’t want the grass to get torn up, and you don’t want the rain to really ruin the atmosphere of the event.”
Smith is also concerned that repairing Zilker Park will keep the Great Lawn closed for weeks or months after the two-weekend October festival.
Austin city leaders and public-safety officials are scheduled to hold a Wednesday press conference on safety measures for ACL and other major fall events. The rain threat is expected to be part of the discussion.