Heavy rainfall is already impacting parts of Southeast Texas, and the flood threat is expected to increase as we head toward Memorial Day weekend.
Wednesday morning brought widespread heavy rain across the region, with many communities picking up 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. The heaviest totals were focused across Brazoria and Matagorda counties, where some locations saw 6 to 9 inches of rain in less than 12 hours.
That rainfall is becoming increasingly important because soils across the region are starting to saturate.
When the ground becomes soaked, it loses the ability to efficiently absorb additional rainfall. That lowers the threshold for flooding, meaning it will not take as much rain to create issues on roads, in neighborhoods, and near bayous and creeks.
Unfortunately, this pattern is far from over.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through the holiday weekend, and many areas could receive an additional 4 to 5 inches of rain on top of what has already fallen.
While not every community will see flooding, conditions are becoming more favorable for flash flooding and rising water issues, especially in low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Drivers should remain especially cautious over the next several days. Flooding remains one of the deadliest weather hazards in Texas, and many flood-related deaths happen in vehicles after drivers attempt to cross water-covered roads.
It only takes about 12 inches of moving water to carry away a vehicle.
The biggest takeaway heading into the weekend is to allow extra travel time, stay weather aware, and never drive through flooded roadways. If you encounter water covering a road, turn around and find another route.
Stay with KPRC 2 for the latest forecast updates throughout the Memorial Day weekend.