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Evacuations ordered as flooding returns to central Texas

Evacuations ordered as flooding returns to central Texas

Yahooa day ago
Just over a week after deadly flash floods swept through Texas Hill Country, the region may once again face a life-threatening deluge as slow-moving thunderstorms bring heavy rain, flash flooding, and rapid river rises to parts of central Texas Sunday.
A flash flood emergency was issued for southeastern San Saba County, including Colorado Bend State Park, where six to eight inches of rain fell in six hours. In Sutton, Texas, flooding caused cars to stall on Interstate 10 and water was approaching some homes, according to the National Weather Service.
Some areas of San Saba County are under a mandatory evacuation order due to rainfall in the area, according to a news release.
'Torrential rainfall is causing a rapid rise along the San Saba River from Menard to San Saba, San Saba River near San Saba is forecasted to crest at MAJOR category, reaching over 31 feet,' the National Weather Service said on X.
Ground search operations were suspended at one point in Kerrville, Texas, due to ongoing flood danger, authorities said Sunday morning.
'We will provide more information soon but for now, all search crews need to evacuate the river corridor until further notice,' the City of Kerrville Police Department said in a Facebook post. 'Any volunteer search parties in the Guadalupe River corridor need to heed this warning. The potential for a flash flood is high.'
A band of thunderstorms continues to slide south and east Sunday into areas like Kerr County, where officials have reported 103 deaths and at least 140 people still missing from the July 4 flooding.
An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is likely, with local amounts of 9 to 12 inches possible in areas under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio.
CNN's team in Kerrville received Wireless Emergency Alerts on their phones Sunday morning, warning about possible flooding.
'This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,' the alert said.
The rain is expected to cause rivers and creeks to rise into flood stage. The Guadalupe River at Hunt is forecast to reach over 14 feet Sunday afternoon, which is considered moderate flood stage. The Guadalupe River at Kerrville is expected to crest just below minor flood stage late Sunday afternoon or evening, according to the National Weather Service.
'Flashy rivers like the Guadalupe should be avoided, if at all possible,' the Weather Prediction Center warned Saturday night.
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In the case of a power outage, a battery-operated radio can come in handy. Be prepared to evacuate If there's a chance you may have to leave your home, gather essential items that are not already in your 'go bag' — driver's licenses, credit cards, medications and key documents — and seal them in a waterproof pouch. (A plastic freezer bag works just fine.) Make sure your phone is charged and, if you have time, unplug small appliances so they won't get fried by electrical surges. Move valuables to a higher floor (if you have one). If you live in a basement apartment, be extra vigilant when it comes to monitoring rainstorms, said Julie Munger, founder of Sierra Rescue International, an organization that has trained swift-water rescuers for 35 years. If you believe you may be in danger, she recommended immediately moving to a higher floor or evacuating to another location. (To find an emergency shelter, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362.) 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Then, unbuckle your seatbelt and grip it as you climb onto the roof and call 911, Mr. Burttschell advised. Do your best to remain with the car until help arrives. Lie down on the roof to keep yourself stable, and don't tie yourself to the car, in case it rolls. During his 32-year career, Mr. Burttschell has found that people who stay with their cars survive at much higher rates than those who abandon them, simply because it's easier for emergency services to spot a vehicle than a person. 'I really don't ever recommend leaving the vehicle,' he said. To make yourself more noticeable, you can also turn on your hazard lights, activate your car's alarm with your key fob and, if possible, honk the horn. If you're walking, hiking or camping If you happen to get caught in a flash flood while on foot, run perpendicular to the water and 'get to the highest point possible,' Ms. Munger said — whether that means heading into the nearest building and racing up the stairs, climbing a tree or clambering onto a truck. The bigger and heavier the object, the better, she said, since it will be less likely to float away. If you do get swept away, don't attempt to stand up, as you risk trapping your foot in a drain, fence or other object. Instead, Ms. Munger advised swimming perpendicular to the current, as you would with a rip tide, until you get to safety. Since you'll be fighting against drainages, debris and the current, she warned this is extremely difficult, even for strong swimmers. 'People need to realize that most people who lose their footing in a flash flood don't get out,' she said. As for camping or hiking, Ms. Munger advised researching the region's weather patterns and forecast before setting out. If there might be a rainstorm upstream of your destination, she suggested camping above any rivers, rather than beside them. If water starts to rise where you are, head immediately to higher ground. If you're on an underground train or subway The subway is 'the last place you want to be' during a flash flood, Ms. Munger said. 'Because eventually, if the storm drains are overwhelmed, there's no other place for the water to go.' Your best defense, in other words, is to avoid it altogether. If you do find yourself underground during a flood, Ms. Munger urged exiting the station as swiftly as possible — even if that means forcing your way up flooded stairs. If you're on a train that is stuck, don't leave it until you're instructed to do so, said Eugene Resnick, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York. 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