A flood advisory was issued Tuesday afternoon for portions of west central Texas, where water was already over some roadways and minor flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly in low-lying areas and poor-drainage spots. The National Weather Service in San Angelo said the advisory remained in effect until 3:45 p.m.
The advisory covers Coke, Runnels and Tom Green counties, including northeastern San Angelo, Miles, Orient, Tennyson, Grape Creek, O.C. Fisher Reservoir, San Angelo State Park, Rowena and Harriet. It also includes FM 1692 at Concho River, The Draw and Sales Branch, Saynor at Mule Creek, River Road at Indian Creek, County Road 364, County Road 194 and Red Bank at Red Bank Creek, along with Poverty Canyon and Mule Creek Road at Mule Creek.
By 12:39 p.m. Tuesday, Doppler radar showed 0.5 to 1 inch of rain had already fallen, and another 0.75 to 1.5 inches was possible through the afternoon. The flooding was tied to thunderstorms and heavy rain, and the weather service warned that most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
That warning is the sharp edge of this advisory. The water may be described as minor, but the danger is real wherever roads turn into crossings and drainage turns into runoff. Low-water spots can change fast, and the places listed in the advisory are the ones most likely to catch drivers by surprise.
Officials urged motorists to turn around, don't drown, and avoid driving through flooded roads. With rain still possible through the afternoon and the advisory set to run until 3:45 p.m., the immediate question is not whether the water will move through these spots, but how many drivers will heed the warning before they reach it.
