Flooding closes over 100 crossings in Austin

Flooding and closures

Flooding closed 107 crossings in Austin on Monday as heavy rain moved across the metro and kept a flash flood threat in place through the day.

Barton Springs Pool also closed because of the flooding, adding to the disruption for commuters and residents trying to move around the city.

Axios Austin first reported the scale of the closures early Monday morning, and later local reporting showed the event was still active by Tuesday.

The National Weather Service kept a flood watch in effect through Tuesday and warned that some parts of the region could receive more than 8 inches of rain.

Rainfall and rescues

MySA reported nearly 3 inches of rain in Austin before sunrise Monday.

That report also said Austin-Travis County EMS responded to multiple water rescues, including incidents in Manor and along Old San Antonio Road.

Axios separately reported at least one driver had to be rescued from rising water.

The separate reporting points to a broader emergency response as floodwater continued to create dangerous conditions at low-water crossings and on other roads.

Warnings still active

A flash flood warning for Austin, Lakeway and Buda remained in effect until 10 a.m. Monday, according to MySA.

Officials had not given an all-clear in the latest check, and the flooding event remained active as of the most recent verification.

Forecast coverage said conditions could stay muggy with additional rain through the week, which could prolong closures or trigger new ones if storms redevelop.

Why Austin is vulnerable

Austin is especially prone to flash flooding because of low-water crossings and fast runoff.

When heavy rain falls quickly, those crossings can become impassable in a short time, which is why road closures are often one of the first signs of a serious flood threat in the city.

The flooding also hit at a moment when the region was already dealing with a broader Central Texas storm system affecting multiple cities and counties.

Austin's year-to-date rainfall was reported at 15.51 inches, below the normal year-to-date average of 16.89 inches, underscoring how this burst of rain still arrived after a relatively dry stretch.

What to watch next

The next official updates to watch are whether the flood watch is extended beyond Tuesday, whether the number of closed crossings rises or falls as roads reopen or flood again, and whether more rescues or injuries are reported.

Barton Springs Pool reopening guidance is another immediate question for residents.

For now, the main signals to watch are road conditions, warnings and any new emergency response reports as the storm system continues to evolve.

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