Texas faces a growing flood threat as a hybrid storm takes shape

A hybrid storm is raising flood concerns across Texas

A potentially dangerous stretch of weather is developing across a huge part of the central United States. Forecasters say the remnants of Hurricane Polo will interact with another large weather system, creating a hybrid storm that can spread moisture across a broad region.

Texas is among the areas facing the most serious rainfall concerns. AccuWeather expects some locations to receive several inches of rain, while parts of the state could face flash, urban, and river flooding as the week progresses.

Texas could see some of the heaviest rain

The heaviest rainfall is expected across several states, including Texas, eastern Arizona, Oklahoma, southwestern Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. AccuWeather said some parts of this region could receive up to 8 inches of rain.

That forecast places Texas inside one of the main zones being watched as moisture expands across the central United States. The rainfall will not be limited to a single short burst, as forecasters expect several days of heavy-to-excessive precipitation.

Western Texas faces an earlier flash-flood concern

Parts of western Texas are already within the area where considerable flash flooding is possible. NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center said the threat began Sept. 28 and could continue into mid-week across portions of New Mexico and western Texas.

The Southwest also has specific locations that may be especially vulnerable. Forecasters pointed to burn scars, low-water crossings, and areas with complex terrain as places where heavy rain can produce dangerous flooding impacts more quickly.

Little-known fact: Burned landscapes can remain vulnerable to dangerous runoff for several years after a wildfire because fires can reduce how quickly soil absorbs rainfall.

Flood concerns extend far beyond Texas

Texas is a major focus, but the weather threat extends across a much larger part of the country. Flood watches and alerts stretched more than 1,200 miles across the central U.S., with Chicago among the major cities at risk.

New Mexico also faced considerable flash-flood potential. At the same time, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa could see flash, urban, and river flooding around Sept. 29 and Sept. 30. The broad footprint makes this more than a localized Texas rain event.

Saturated ground could make new rain more dangerous

Recent rainfall is another factor that could influence how communities respond to this week’s weather. AccuWeather said areas that have received significant rain during the past several weeks face an elevated risk as additional water moves into already saturated ground.

When the ground has limited capacity to absorb more rain, runoff can become a bigger concern. That matters during a prolonged event because repeated rainfall can increase flooding impacts, even when breaks separate individual rain periods.

Low-water crossings are a specific concern

The National Weather Service highlighted low-water crossings as places that could experience dangerous flooding. These crossings can become hazardous when fast-moving water covers a roadway, making conditions difficult to judge from a vehicle.

Burn scars and complex terrain were also identified as vulnerable locations across the broader Southwest. Those areas can respond differently to heavy rain, so that the flood threat may vary sharply between nearby communities depending on local landscape and recent weather.

The timeline shifts as the systems move east

The flood threat is expected to evolve rather than affect every location simultaneously. Considerable flash flooding was possible in western Texas and parts of New Mexico beginning Sept. 28, while eastern Nebraska and western Iowa faced additional flood concerns around Sept. 29 and Sept. 30.

Central Texas and southern Oklahoma may see flash, urban, and river flooding starting mid-week. The changing timeline reflects the movement and interaction of the weather systems across the central United States.

Nighttime travel could become especially risky

The National Weather Service advised people to avoid traveling through areas that are already flooded or especially vulnerable. Officials also urged extra caution at night, when standing or moving water can be harder for drivers to recognize.

The agency’s warning includes a familiar rule for flooded roads: turn around rather than attempting to drive through. The guidance is particularly relevant as heavy rainfall spreads across areas with low-water crossings, saturated ground, and other locations that may flood quickly.

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The central U.S. is entering a prolonged rain threat

The developing hybrid storm could bring several days of heavy rainfall across a broad part of the central United States. Texas stands out as one of the areas forecast to receive the heaviest rain, with central and western regions facing different timing and flooding concerns.

The overall setup involves tropical remnants, an upper-level low, Gulf moisture, and potentially a predecessor rain event. Together, these factors are creating a widespread weather threat that forecasters will continue tracking as the systems move across the country.

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Are you keeping an eye on the developing flood threat across Texas? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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