Gov. Greg Abbott included Bandera County in a 59-county disaster declaration Tuesday as severe storms and flash flooding continue to threaten parts of Texas.
The declaration came as a flood warning remained in effect for the Medina River at Bandera, where minor flooding is forecast, according to the National Weather Service, and local officials reported numerous road closures because of high water.
Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to continue 24-hour operations at the State Operations Center at Level II, or escalated response, to support the state's response to severe storms and flash flooding, according to the governor's office.
“The protection of Texans is my top priority,” Abbott said in a statement. “As severe storms and the threat of dangerous flash flooding continue across the state, this disaster declaration ensures we can rapidly deploy state resources to support local communities. Texas is positioned to respond quickly and effectively.”
Abbott urged residents in affected areas to monitor local weather forecasts, avoid driving through flooded roadways and have emergency supplies ready.
The Bandera County Sheriff's Office reported multiple road closures Tuesday because of high water and flooding. Closed roadways included Old School Road/Privilege Creek Road, the 1100 block of Hackberry, Maple Street between State Highway 173 and State Highway 16, Bandera Boulevard from Mulberry to Buck Creek and Privilege Creek from State Highway 16 to Deer Creek Road.
The Sheriff's Office also reported closures at Chaparral Court, Chipman Lane, Pioneer RV Park, Lower Mason Creek Road, Winans Creek, South Seco Creek, Mazurek Road, Williams Creek Road, First Street in Bandera, Spring Road, Reid Road, Upper Mason Creek Road, South Goat Ridge Road and Madrona Ranch Road.
Peaceful Valley Road and Elm Pass had reopened, according to the Sheriff's Office. Officials urged motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
The weather service reported the Medina River was at 10.7 feet at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday and forecast it to rise above the 13-foot flood stage to 13.5 feet late Tuesday morning. The agency said the river is expected to fall below flood stage later Tuesday morning and recede to 7.8 feet Tuesday evening.
According to the weather service, water covers the lowest areas of the flood plain when the river reaches 12 feet, but no significant damage is expected. The agency advised residents of mobile home parks, Pioneer RV Park and the upper end of Medina Lake to monitor weather information for developing flood conditions.
The flood warning remains in effect until late Tuesday evening, according to the weather service.
A flood watch also remains in effect through Thursday evening for parts of the Hill Country, Interstate 35 corridor, southern Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plains, according to the weather service. Forecasters said life-threatening flooding is possible somewhere within the watch area.
The weather service said a Level 4 of 4, or high, risk for flooding rain is in effect Tuesday for portions of the U.S. 90 corridor west of San Antonio, including the southern Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plains. Forecasters said considerable to locally catastrophic flash flooding impacts are likely in the region.
Pockets of an additional 10 to 20 inches of rain are possible in the high-risk region, while storm totals of 2 to 6 inches are possible across the rest of the flood watch area, according to the weather service.
The governor's office said representatives from several state agencies were directed to report to the State Operations Center and ensure resources are ready for deployment as needed. Those agencies include the Texas Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas National Guard and state health and emergency response agencies.
The weather service advised residents to remain weather aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings. State and local officials also urged motorists to avoid flooded roads and follow warnings from authorities.
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