With More Rain On The Way, Texas Prepares For flood Assistance

Heavy rain was expected to continue in Texas through the weekend, prompting the governor's office to preposition state assistance, including search and rescue teams.<br/><br/>Central and South Texas

Friday, July 27th 2007, 5:06 am

By: News On 6

Heavy rain was expected to continue in Texas through the weekend, prompting the governor's office to preposition state assistance, including search and rescue teams.

Central and South Texas have been deluged. Flooding led to road closures Thursday in Nueces, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Refugio, Karnes and San Patricio counties.

The forecast storm line stretches from Laredo north to the Dallas area. Gov. Rick Perry said the state will provide assistance to those areas as local officials indicate they need help.

In saturated Austin, more rain and thunderstorms were likely on Friday. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. The high should reach 85 degrees with the low falling to around 71. The chance of precipitation was 70%.

In Laredo, scattered showers and thunderstorms were predicted, and some of the storms could produce heavy rain. The high should climb to near 92 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Heat index values should climb as high as 102. The low temperature should fall to around 77. The chance of precipitation was 50%.

A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 a.m. was forecast in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The high should climb to near 88 under mostly cloudy skies. The low should fall to around 74.

"Because storms have saturated much of our state this summer, many of our communities are at risk of dangerous flash flooding. Places where 1 or 2 inches of rain normally wouldn't cause concern could quickly turn into a life-threatening situation," Perry said in a statement. "We will continue to work with local officials to provide the state resources necessary to ensure the safety of all Texas residents."

Two Texas Task Force 1 swift water rescue teams and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and swift water rescue team have been prepositioned in San Antonio.

Six Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens with three boats and a Texas Forest Service incident management team were also positioned in San Antonio and ready for rapid deployment.

Additionally, 60 Texas Military Forces soldiers and 20 high-profile vehicles are on standby if needed to assist with response to heavy flooding and other emergencies. Voluntary organizations are also prepared to help if needed to provide mass care support for residents.

Plentiful rains throughout the state the past year led weather officials Thursday to declare an end to drought conditions across the state for the first time in at least a decade.

Only isolated areas in the northern Panhandle, far West Texas and along the eastern margins of the state are still below normal.