The Medina River at Bandera is forecast to reach major flood stage Wednesday evening as heavy rain and flash flooding have forced the closure of more than 30 roadways across Bandera County.
The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office said Wednesday morning that the river is expected to rise above its 13-foot flood stage Wednesday afternoon and crest near 24.7 feet Wednesday evening. The forecast crest is comparable to the 24.9-foot crest recorded June 3, 1987.
At 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Medina River was at 5.1 feet, according to the weather service. The agency said the river is forecast to fall below flood stage Thursday morning, although a flood warning remains in effect until Thursday evening.
According to the weather service, major flooding reaches Pioneer RV Park near State Highway 173 when the river reaches 24 feet. At that level, many secondary and primary roads and bridges near the Medina River are flooded and considered dangerous.
At 25 feet, all campsites at Pioneer RV Park flood and river flow reaches within 3 feet of the Highway 173 bridge floor, the weather service said.
The Bandera County Sheriff’s Office reported more than 30 road closures because of high water and flooding as of 9:40 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the sheriff’s office, closures included Privilege Creek Road at Bear Creek Road, Old School, Cornelius, Bandera Creek, Privilege Creek, Panther Hill, Carpenters Creek, Jackson Creek at the first crossing, Old Mill Creek, Thompson Creek, Spears Road and FM 46 at Red Bluff Creek.
Other closures included South Seco Creek and Seco Pass, Mazurek Road, Williams Creek Road, Spring Road, Reid Road, Madrona Ranch Road, Ross Road at Hondo Creek, Chaparral Court, Thomas Creek Road, Williams Spring at State Highway 16, Bumpgate at State Highway 16, Winans Creek and Backhaus Road.
Elm Pass at State Highway 173, Bear Creek Road, Heisler Road, Lower Mason Creek Road, Chipman Lane and Bear Springs Road were also closed, according to the sheriff’s office.
Rockslides were also reported at South Seco Creek and Seco Pass, with the Texas Department of Transportation responding, the sheriff’s office said.
The flood threat comes as flash flood warnings remain in effect for portions of Bandera County.
A flash flood warning was issued for eastern Bandera County and Kendall County until 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. The weather service said radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain, with 1 to 3 inches already fallen and an additional 1 to 2 inches possible. Flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
The warning includes Bandera, Medina, Pipe Creek, Bandera Falls and Lakehills, among other communities. The weather service described the flash flood damage threat as “considerable.”
A separate flash flood warning for southwestern Bandera County and southeastern Real County was extended until 2 p.m. Wednesday. Between 3 and 9 inches of rain had fallen in the warned area, with another 1 to 2 inches possible, according to the weather service.
That warning includes Vanderpool, Tarpley, Utopia, Hill Country State Natural Area and Lake Medina Shores.
A broader flood watch remains in effect through Thursday evening for Bandera County and much of South Central Texas. The weather service said multiple rounds of storms and intense rainfall rates could produce a dangerous flash flooding threat, with storm totals of 2 to 6 inches possible across the watch area. Isolated totals of 10 to 20 inches are possible in portions of the Rio Grande Plains, southern Edwards Plateau and U.S. 90 corridor.
The National Weather Service urged residents to avoid flooded roads and take the shortest path to higher ground if water begins to rise. The agency said most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
.png)
