Storms Trigger Severe Flooding

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. Widespread rains were expected to continue through the weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to keep the region under a flash flood warning. Austin had received 2.59 inches of rain since Friday evening, while Waco had been drenched with 3.22 inches and San Antonio got 3.63 inches, the service reported. The heaviest was 5.22 inches in Georgetown, about 20 miles north of Austin. Additional heavy rain was predicted. “We’re right along the frontal boundary,” said Bill Runyon of the National Weather Service. “It’s surrounding us like a big sea and we’re in the middle of it, and it’s closing in on us.” Three people died in flooding Friday and two on Thursday. Car accidents accounted for all five deaths.