State emergency response resources activated ahead of flash flooding threat

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas emergency response resources were activated Tuesday ahead of expected flash flooding conditions as storms and heavy rainfall move across the state throughout the rest of the week.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of the storms.

According to a release from the governor's office, the National Weather Service expects multiple rounds of heavy rainfall beginning Tuesday and through the weekend, bringing an increased risk of flash flooding to the southern half of the state. River flooding is also expected across East/Southeast Texas with that threat expanding towards the Coastal Bend mid-week.

Recent heavy rain in the Hill Country is also funneling down the Llano River and through the Highland Lakes. Floodgates opened at Wirtz and Max Starcke Dam in response.

A Flood Warning remains in effect for the Llano River from Mason County through Burnet County. The river crested at 17.2 feet in Llano at 1 a.m. this morning, a rise of 15 feet in 24 hours and 7 feet above its banks. Moderate flooding is expected to continue, according to the KXAN First Warning Weather team. Those further downstream should be on guard.

Emergency response resources activated by TDEM:

Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Swiftwater Boat Squads
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens and boat squads

TDEM has also placed the Texas Department of Public Safety: Tactical Marine Unit, Texas Highway Patrol helicopters with hoist capability on standby.

Texans are encouraged to take safety precautions to prepare for severe weather and flooding by monitoring local forecast information, gathering supplies for an emergency go-kit, and heeding warnings of local officials.

Texans can check road conditions at DriveTexas.org and access flood tracking information at TexasFlood.org.

Visit TexasReady.gov for severe storm safety tips and tdem.texas.gov/prepare for disaster preparedness information.