After the wettest month in Texas’ history, June did not bring a reprieve from the rain.
“Unfortunately, even more rain is on the way,” CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar said. “All of that moist, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico [will be] adding to a very wet Texas.”
Hail, damaging 60-plus mph wind gusts and flooding are all possible in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.
A flash flood watch will be in effect for all of south-central Texas until Friday morning, the NWS said.
The storms could produce rainfall totaling more than two inches per hour.
“These rates, in combination with saturated soils, will result in rapid flash flooding,” the NWS said.
Lubbock has been particularly hard-hit recently. Pictures on social media showed residents struggling to cope with rains that have nearly turned streets into rivers.
Fort Bend is experiencing flooding it called “unprecedented,” the county’s Office of Emergency Management said in a news release.
“The most important thing we’re preparing for now is that we’re in the middle of a historic river flood event, and we’re facing severe rainfall,” said Jeff Braun, emergency management coordinator for Fort Bend County. “We are about to get a large amount of rain, and a lot of it will have nowhere to drain.”
More than 450 rescue operations have been conducted and some 1,400 homes have been affected there.
“Residents should be prepared to be impacted by this event for a long period, and should take action now to protect their lives and property,” the Fort Bend emergency management office said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 31 counties due to the flooding.
He authorized the use of all state resources necessary to cope with this disaster.
“Our state continues to face waves of severe weather and potential flooding,” he said. “The state of Texas stands ready to assist all counties affected by severe weather and has dedicated the resources necessary to ensure the safety of those at risk.”
The latest rains come after a record-setting May when it comes to rainfall totals.
As of May 29, Texas had been inundated with more than 35 trillion gallons of rain — enough to cover the entire state in almost eight inches — according to the National Weather Service.