Residents in Waco, Killeen and surrounding Central Texas communities are being urged to take immediate precautions as forecasters warn of a significant localized flooding threat that could intensify while most people are asleep — peaking at daybreak Monday.
Thunderstorms are expected to redevelop Sunday afternoon and steadily increase in coverage throughout the overnight hours. The danger is not a single powerful storm — it is the repeated, relentless rounds of heavy rainfall targeting the same areas over and over again, pushing low-lying neighborhoods and poor-drainage zones past their limits well before sunrise.
The flood threat is greatest between late evening Sunday and daybreak Monday — when flooded roads are hardest to spot.
The broader North and Central Texas region is also on alert. Cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, Sherman, Paris, Graham, Cisco, Canton and Palestine face scattered thunderstorm activity through the night, with primary hazards including torrential downpours, frequent lightning and gusty winds.
Motorists on Interstate 35, Interstate 20, Interstate 30 and U.S. Highway 287 face the most immediate road danger. Fast-moving water can accumulate on these corridors with little warning, and flooded roadways can be nearly invisible in darkness. Officials are reminding drivers: if water is covering a road, do not attempt to cross it — turn around immediately. Even water just inches deep can disable a vehicle and trap its occupants.
Flood Advisories, Flood Warnings or Special Weather Statements may be issued throughout the night as storm systems continue developing. Residents in flood-prone areas should avoid unnecessary travel after dark, stay away from creeks and drainage channels, and keep emergency contacts and evacuation routes planned in advance.
Do not wait for an official warning before acting. By the time water is at your door, it may already be too late to leave safely.
