By
The Associated Press
AUSTIN - Relentless thunderstorms have rumbled across central Texas for more than two days, causing severe flooding that has been blamed for the deaths of five people, and more rain was expected.
Don Rogers, a spokesman for the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said Saturday that more storms were moving through the region and more flooding was anticipated.
"It's similar to what we already have," Rogers said. "But when this started a couple of days ago the ground wasn't saturated. Now it is."
On Saturday, the Llano River in Junction, about 140 miles west of Austin, crested 20 feet above flood stage. The water seeped into basements, damaged cars and took out what Kimble County Judge Delbert Roberts estimated to be some 200 miles of ranch fences.
"We're praying that it doesn't rain anymore," Roberts said. "We'll just try and prepare ourselves for the worst."
The city of Austin received 2.59 inches of rain from Friday night to Saturday night, while Waco had been drenched with 3.22 inches and San Antonio had 3.63 inches, the weather service reported. The heaviest rainfall was in Georgetown, Texas, about 20 miles north of Austin, where 5.22 inches of rain fell.
Three deaths were blamed on the weather Friday and two on Thursday, all involving car accidents during heavy rains or flooding. A Trinity County deputy died after her patrol car hydroplaned and hit an ambulance Friday night.
San Saba County Judge Harlen Barker said he and his wife have been flooded in their home in the city of San Saba since Friday night when Texas 16 flooded.
"We prayed for rain and now we need to thank God we got it," Barker said.
Earlier this year, parts of northern Texas went a record 84 days without measurable rainfall. State Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs estimated the damage done to farms and ranches by the summer drought had cost the state more than $800 million.
