Comal County’s Emergency Operations Center and Comal ISD are closely monitoring weather conditions, with a line of severe thunderstorms expected to move through the Canyon Lake area between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday.
Widespread rain and flash flooding, urban and localized river flooding, damaging winds, and large hail are possible, the U.S. National Weather Service said this afternoon.
The most likely window for the main line of storms is between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday. More storms could develop late Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. A flood watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.
County spokesperson Cary Zayas said road department crews are preparing for the weather.
“With this timing overlapping the morning commute, please give yourself extra time, use caution on the roads and never drive through flooded roadways,” she said.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Jen Crownover advises Canyon Lake-area campers, people living in RVs and anyone else unfamiliar with low-lying areas along the Guadalupe River to check with property owners to learn more about evacuation plans.
“Some are better suited to stay in place, some are best to evacuate if possible, but there could always be other factors, such as trees down/etc, to where evacuations can sometimes cause trouble, too,” she said.
The county will post road closures to its online map — which also indicates where low-water crossings are located:
Sirens are located throughout the Upper and Lower Guadalupe River, according to the Water Oriented Water District of Comal County (WORD). The system has two components, river gauges and sirens.
When the river’s height is above sea level, the system will sound all sirens and notify the county.
Residents and visitors are urged to sign up for Comal County’s emergency alert system to receive customized alerts based on their location:
https://member.everbridge.net/892807736723690/new
Comal ISD
Officials are monitoring the local forecast and working with the weather service, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and local law enforcement to determine whether it will be necessary to make changes to the school day, athletics, or extracurricular activities.
Parents and teachers will be notified through Parent Square, social media and local news and radio stations.