Flood Watch Issued For West Central Texas Through Friday Morning With Heavy Rain Expected

After spending most of September begging the sky for rain, portions of Texas, including the Big Country, may be about to get entirely too much of it at once.

Flood Watch Includes Abilene and the Big Country

Photo: National Weather Service

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from early Wednesday morning through Friday morning for Abilene and much of West Central Texas.

Forecasters expect widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated locations possibly receiving more than 7 inches. Multiple rounds of storms could move across the same areas, greatly increasing the potential for flash flooding.

Taylor, Jones, Callahan, Nolan, Fisher, Haskell, Shackelford and Throckmorton counties are among those included in the watch.

Severe Storms Are Also Possible Wednesday

Photo: National Weather Service

Flooding is the biggest concern, but it isn’t the only one. A few storms Wednesday afternoon and overnight could become severe, producing damaging wind and large hail. The Weather Service says an isolated tornado is also possible.

Abilene currently has an 80% chance of rain Wednesday and a 90% chance Wednesday night.

Don’t Gamble With Flooded Roads

This is still a forecast, as significant flooding has not happened yet, but the official Flood Watch means the ingredients are lining up for a potentially serious event. In other words, you may want to break out the boat.

After receiving barely a tenth of an inch of rain for most of September, we may now get several inches in about two days. Because West Texas weather is just like that…either it’s too much or too little.

Charge your phone, secure anything outside, and avoid flooded streets and low-water crossings. Turn around, don’t drown, because regardless of how much you love it, your vehicle is not a bass boat. Stay safe, Texas!