Flood Watch issued Sunday for much of North Texas as rain enters forecast
DALLAS - Sunday is the start of a big rain event with rounds of heavy showers that could last for several days.
Some parts of North Texas will start to see the rain ramp up as soon as Sunday morning, and that's when a Flood Watch has been issued most of the area.
The first round of showers have moved out of the area, but more rain is expected to come into North Texas Sunday night.
The National Weather Service reports the heaviest rain and highest flood risk will be Sunday night and Monday.
There could be rain amounts of 2-5 inches in most areas, but there could also be isolated totals of more than eight inches in some spots.
The Flood Watch for areas south of I-20 has been extended through Monday at 7 p.m. The rest of North Texas continues with the watch until noon on Monday.
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First responders are on standby as the region prepares for the rain.
The Fort Worth Fire Department is monitoring the weather to decide if it needs to call in extra staff over the next 24 hours.
The department’s biggest concern is flash flooding and monitoring the areas where drivers may get stuck.
Fort Worth fire officials are asking people who know their normal route is prone to flooding to seek an alternate route.
"It’s so dry and compact. So therefore, the faster it comes down, the greater chance there will be a flood," Fort Worth Fire Department Battalion Chief James McAmis said. "Two feet of water can sweep a vehicle away. Once that happens it’s hard for the rescue to then occur. Seek an alternate route, turn around. If there are warning signs and lights are flashing, adhere to that."
Officials also warn people against walking into any fast-moving water.
With a Flood Watch already issued for most of North Texas for Sunday, Governor Greg Abbott is monitoring the threat of flooding statewide.
He led a weather call with more than 350 local emergency response officials Saturday.
They discussed what type of support might be needed in the case that heavy rainfall turns to flash flooding.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has prepositioned more than 250 personnel and 100 pieces of equipment.