Comal and Hays counties were hit hard by heavy rainfall and flooding that made its way south from the Austin metropolitan area early Thursday morning.
A Flash Flood Emergency was in effect during the overnight hours in Comal, Hays and Travis counties. The advisory ended just after 7 a.m. and covered the areas from Bulverde to Canyon Lake to across much of Hays County into Austin.
A flash flood watch remained in effect across most of South Central Texas including Bexar County until noon.
The National Weather Service stated runoff from the excessive rainfall caused flash flooding to occur in Austin, Austin-Bergstrom aiport, Canyon Lake Dam, Dripping Springs, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Wimberley, Bee Cave, Buda, Driftwood, Fischer, Kyle, Lakeway, Manor, Mansfield Dam, Mustang Ridge, Niederwald, Onion Creek, Rollingwood, Spring Branch, Uhland, West Lake Hills and Woodcreek.
A flood warning was also issued later Thursday morning for the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. The Hays County Sheriff's Office had no immediate reports of injuries.
Some school closures and delays were reported because of the rainfall. They included:
- New Braunfels ISD schools opening on a two-hour delayed start.
- New Braunfels Christian Academy 10:30 a.m. start.
- San Marcos CISD classes have been cancelled for Thursday.
- Dripping Springs ISD will start classes at 10 a.m.
- Hays CISD will start classes at 10 a.m.
- Wimberley ISD classes have been cancelled for Thursday.
- Lockhart ISD classes have been cancelled for Thursday.
Further north in Austin, emergency personnel in helicopters and boats have rescued people stranded in vehicles and stuck in trees during storm-related flooding.
VIDEO TX CROOKED CREEK FLOODING EVACUATIONS
A spokesman for Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services says a helicopter hoisted four people to safety. Warren Hassinger says the individuals were trapped in a rural area near Buda. He had no immediate additional details.
EMS boats were used for rescues in the Austin area. Austin Energy says about 6,400 customers lost electricity from storms since Wednesday night. Evacuations were ordered along flooded creeks in nearby San Marcos and Wimberley.