Heavy rainfall on Tuesday turned the morning drive into a slow crawl across Williamson County, with flash flood warnings popping up and more than a dozen roads shut down from Leander to Jarrell. Emergency officials urged drivers to avoid low-water crossings while crews moved in to clear flooded stretches, and a CBS Austin crew documented Brushy Creek spilling across Ridgmar Road to roughly 1 to 2 feet on a roadside gauge.
National Weather Service Extends Warnings As Crossings Disappear Underwater
The National Weather Service extended a Flash Flood Warning for central Williamson County through 12:15 p.m., saying emergency management had reported 16 low-water crossings closed and that 2 to 4 inches of rain had already fallen. The warning described the flooding as life-threatening and cautioned that additional downpours could send more water into creeks, streets, and underpasses, according to the National Weather Service.
Closures Snarl Travel From Leander To Jarrell
Closures reported countywide included Ridgmar Road at Brushy Creek in Leander; Summit Street at Brushy Creek and County Road 123 in Round Rock; multiple low-water crossings in Cedar Park; several county roads in and around Granger and Florence; and County Road 314 in Jarrell, where crews were also assessing a pothole that opened earlier in the morning. Williamson County Emergency Services urged residents to avoid flooded roadways and to "turn around, don't drown," and additional closures were still being added through mid-morning, as reported by CBS Austin.
How Much Rain Fell And What Comes Next
The NWS noted between 2 and 4 inches had already fallen across parts of the county and warned another 1 to 2 inches were possible in the warned area, keeping the risk for renewed flash flooding high at low-water crossings and creeks. Forecasters said on-and-off showers could continue through the afternoon, prolonging hazardous driving conditions and the need for crews to monitor additional closures, per the National Weather Service.
Where To Find Real-Time Updates And Safety Tips
Officials pointed residents to local closure maps and emergency channels for rolling updates, and both the county and the NWS reiterated the simple safety rule: do not drive through floodwaters. For the latest road-status information, see CBS Austin and Williamson County's official news page for resources and alerts at Williamson County.
