Wichita Falls, Texas is preparing for possible flooding along the Wichita River, but city officials have confirmed there are no current plans for voluntary or mandatory evacuations.
Heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours has caused the river level to rise quickly, and it is expected to cross its flood stage overnight.
River Expected to Overflow by Early Thursday
In a press release shared on Wednesday afternoon, the city stated that the Wichita River is expected to rise just above 20 feet by 1 a.m. Thursday. This is 2 feet above the official flood stage, according to the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
Flooding is expected mainly in low-lying areas near the river.
Areas Most at Risk for Flooding
The following areas are expected to experience street flooding and possible road closures:
- East of Scott Avenue
- Near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Harding Street
- North toward Spudder Park
- Parts of the Tanglewood neighborhood
Residents in these areas are advised to stay alert and monitor local updates.
Over 3 Inches of Rain Recorded
As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Wichita Falls had received 3.32 inches of rain since Tuesday night. The rainfall has already led to widespread street flooding across the city.
City crews and emergency services are on alert, but as of now, no evacuation orders have been issued.