Life-threatening flash floods possible in Austin area as storms hit on Fourth of July

As heavy rains continue to hit the Central Texas region, weather forecasters are now warning residents in the Austin area to be on high alert for flash flooding.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning until 4:30 p.m. for northwestern Travis County and southwestern Williamson County, which includes parts of Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown and Cedar Park.

The agency says there’s an increased possibility that creeks and streams will overflow, flooding highways and other roads. As always, they’re telling people to avoid driving on flooded streets.

Rain has already led to a number of deaths west of Austin, in Kerr County. According to multiple reports, at least six people have died as the Guadalupe River flooded overnight.

The Austin-American Statesman and others have reported that several girls attending a Christian camp in the area, Camp Mystic, have been reported missing because of the floods. In an email that appears to have been sent to parents this morning and shared with KUT News, camp leaders said they had individually informed parents if their daughter was unaccounted for.

In the Austin area, the NWS said nearly two inches of rain have fallen in one hour. The region has experienced an unusually wet summer so far, which has helped to keep typically searing temperatures down.