Updated May 7, 7:54 p.m.:
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Travis County and Southwestern Williamson County through 10:45 p.m. May 7. An areal Flood Advisory is also in effect until 11 p.m., while a Dangerous Thunderstorm Alert is in place until 8:38 p.m.
Original post May 7, 3:50 p.m.:
The Lower Colorado River Authority announced in a new release May 7 that one floodgate remains partially open at Tom Miller Dam near West Lake Hills, the only dam currently open along the Highland Lakes system.
Though LCRA officials do not anticipate any further floodgate activity related to heavy rain May 3, the announcement warns of additional rain in the forecast and that operational plans could change.
“Our message to the public now is to pay attention to the weather,” the LCRA announcement stated. “Do not let your guard down. This is a dynamic weather situation, and conditions can change rapidly with additional rain. We encourage everyone to stay alert to local conditions and to be ready to take action to stay safe.”
According to the National Weather Service, Travis and Hays County have an enhanced risk of severe storms May 8 from noon through the evening. Storms could come with high winds and hail, heavy rain and there will be the possibility of an isolate tornado, according to the forecast. Much of Central and East Texas will have a slight risk of severe weather.
The May 7 forecast for the Austin area calls for scattered showers in the afternoon and a chance of thunderstorms from 5 p.m. into the early evening. There's also a 50%-60% chance of rain and storms in the early morning hours of May 8 that stretches into the afternoon.
Although most low water crossings in the Austin area
have reopened since last weekend's rain, ATXFloods still lists 67 closures across Central Texas, mostly in Bastrop, Hays and Caldwell Counties. In Austin, the Barton Springs Pool and sections of the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail remain closed due to flooding, although the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail reopened May 6, according to the city of Austin.
A waterway ban still remains until noon on May 10 for the Colorado River between Red Bud Trail and the Tom Miller Dam, according to the Austin Fire Department. The waterway ban on other areas of the river downtown and near Lake Travis was lifted May 6.
