Flood Death Warning as Heavy Rain Hits Several States

Forecasters have issued flood warnings as heavy rainfall continues to lash several states.

An "expansive arctic high pressure system" is moving east on Monday, directing "a channel of moisture" from the Gulf of Mexico into the southern Plains, the National Weather Service (NWS) said in its latest forecast on Monday.

"Heavy rain has quickly spread across southern Texas this morning," the NWS said. "Strong upper-level flow will direct this channel of moisture quickly northeastward today, bringing periods of freezing rain and sleet up across the Midwest, reaching into the lower Great Lakes tonight."

Heavy rain will also likely continue across northern California due to "a parade of frontal systems" arriving from the Pacific Ocean.

The NWS has issued a flash flood warning for parts of Texas, while flood warnings are in effect for parts of Texas, California, Illinois and Montana, in addition to parts of Washington, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas and Florida.

The flash flooding warning is in effect for parts of Atascosa, Bexar, Comal and Medina counties in Texas until 5 a.m. CST.

Thunderstorms produced heavy rain across the area early on Monday, forecasters said, and another couple of inches of rain are possible.

That could cause life-threatening flash flooding of creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses in places including San Antonio, according to the NWS.

The warning adds that most flood deaths occur in vehicles. "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," the weather service advises.

Parts of south-central Texas, including Hays and Travis counties, could see urban and small stream flooding due to excessive rainfall, according to a flood warning. Up to two inches of rain have fallen and up to another two inches are expected, resulting in minor flooding in places including Austin, San Marcos and Bergstrom International Airport.

People are advised to be especially cautious at night when it is more difficult to recognize the dangers of flooding.

A flood warning is in effect for parts of northern California, including San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, until 2:15 a.m. PST on Monday.

Forecasters warn that heavy rain is set to cause urban and small stream flooding. Locations that are expected to see flooding include Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek.

Flood advisories are also in effect for the Illinois River in La Salle county in Illinois and the Kankakee River in Indiana's Lake and Newton counties.

Flooding caused by an ice jam—where chunks of ice clump together to block the flow of a river—continues in the Kankakee River from near the I-65 and De Motte downstream to the Illinois-Indiana state line, forecasters said.

An ice jam is also affecting water levels in the Illinois River from Heritage Harbor east of Ottawa, Illinois, to Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

Forecasters warn that flooding of low-lying overbank areas near Starved Rock State Park, Naplate, and Ottawa is likely, while flooding of park areas and low-lying roadways is possible in Ottawa and flooding of trails is possible at Starved Rock State Park.

A flood warning is also in effect for parts of southwest Montana.

One warning in effect until 5 p.m. MST on Monday for Beaverhead and Madison counties warns that an ice jam will continue to cause flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas, including in Dillon, Twin Bridges, Alder and Beaverhead Rock State Park.

The National Weather Service has been contacted for comment via email.