Torrential weekend downpours and severe storms triggered dangerous flash flooding across parts of Central Texas and the southern United States, prompting emergency water rescues and widespread road closures as a massive weather system moves eastward.
Nearly 50 million people across 20 states from the Upper Midwest to the South faced heightened flood threats by Monday, according to reports from the FOX Forecast Center.
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The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency northeast of Huntsville, Alabama, on Sunday night following catastrophic rainfall.
Emergency Rescues and Road Closures
The FOX Forecast Center reported that areas near Huntsville received between 5 and 9 inches of rain, with an additional 1 to 3 inches expected.
Localized flooding inundated neighborhoods in Hollywood, Alabama, forcing emergency teams to respond to flooded homes and stranded motorists.
In Central Texas, intense low-pressure systems funneled deep tropical moisture from the Gulf, dropping up to 8 inches of rain since Thursday.
Texas Game Wardens and search and rescue teams responded to emergency calls across Bell, Falls, McLennan, and Milam counties, rescuing at least nine people between Friday and Saturday.
The heavy rainfall created hazardous driving conditions, forcing officials to close dozens of low-water crossings.
The Salado Police Department announced the closure of the Southridge Drive bridge, Chisholm Trail bridge, and crossings at De Grumman and Chaparral due to high water.
According to Falls County Sheriff Jason Campbell, emergency personnel responded to reports of multiple people trapped in their vehicles due to rapidly rising waters.
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Stranded motorists included one individual in an isolated car and four people trapped near County Road 362 and Highway 53 in Marlin.
The Texas Department of Transportation listed numerous flooded roadways in Falls County, including State Highway 320, State Highway 6, State Highway 7, and Farm to Market Road 413.
Authorities urged drivers to obey traffic barriers and check regional monitoring sites like ATXfloods. com.
In Williamson County, northern communities including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, and Liberty Hill reported at least 35 closed roads.
Radar estimates showed 6 inches of rain east of Liberty Hill, while private gauges measured up to 8 inches.
The deluge caused the South Fork of the San Gabriel River in Georgetown to crest over 13 feet, reaching a moderate flood stage.
While water levels receded below the 9-foot flood threshold early Saturday, a regional flood warning remained active through midnight.
A Level 3 flood risk covered parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas on Monday, centering heavily on the southwestern Ozarks.
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Forecasters predict widespread rainfall of 1 to 2 inches will continue tracking across Indiana, Georgia, and surrounding regions through Tuesday.
