Hill Country, Bexar County Under Flood Watch; Warnings Issued Along Guadalupe River

Much of the Hill Country and Bexar County was under a flood watch Friday until at least 7 p.m., but multiple flash flood warnings were issued along the Guadalupe River, the National Weather Service said.

"Pockets of heavy rain are expected to continue and may result in flooding of low-lying areas, rivers/creeks, and low water crossings," forecasters said. "Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with isolated 5 to 7 inches are possible over the flood watch area."

The flood watch area includes Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Llano, Medina, Real and Uvalde counties.

The weather service issued a flash flood warning for western Gillespie County and northwestern Kerr County until 2 p.m. Friday after Doppler weather radar and automated rain gauges indicated that thunderstorms were producing heavy rainfall where 3 to 7 inches of rain have already fallen. Another inch of rain is possible.

A flash flood warning also was in effect for central Comal County and central Kendall County until 8 p.m. Friday.

Around noon Friday, automated rain gauges indicated that "a large and deadly flood wave is moving down the Guadalupe River. Flash flooding is already occurring or expected to occur through late tonight along the Guadalupe River," the weather service said.

Communities expected to experience flash flooding included Sisterdale to Spring Branch to Canyon Lake, forecasters said.

A flood warning for the Guadalupe River near Spring Branch, affecting Comal County also was in effect until 10:45 p.m. Saturday, and a flash flood warning for parts of the Hill Country, including northwestern Bandera County and central Kerr County, has been extended to 3 p.m. Friday, the weather service said.

Heavy rainfall has overwhelmed multiple low water crossings and areas along the Guadalupe River, local authorities reported shortly before 11:30 a.m., according to the weather service.

"Between 6 and 12 inches of rain have fallen," forecasters said in its flood warning Friday morning. "Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring."

Residents in South-Central Kerr County communities, including Kerrville, Ingram and Hunt, are being urged to seek higher ground to avoid "life-threatening flash flooding."

"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," the weather service said. "Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order."

Forecasters also warned that river banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

"It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become killers in heavy rains," the weather service warned. "Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks."