Terlingua Fire and EMS shared a flash flood warning Sunday morning for portions of southern Brewster County, including several communities and popular destinations inside Big Bend National Park.
The warning, issued at 6:53 a.m. Sunday, was scheduled to remain in effect until 8:45 a.m.
Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms were producing heavy rainfall across the warned area. Between one-half inch and 1 inch of rain had already fallen, with up to another inch possible.
The National Weather Service said flash flooding was occurring or expected to begin shortly. Areas at risk included Panther Junction, the Chisos Basin, Castolon, Study Butte, Terlingua, Terlingua Ranch Lodge and Terlingua Ranch Airport.
Flooding was possible along small creeks and streams and across highways, streets, underpasses, low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.
Authorities reminded drivers never to attempt to cross a flooded roadway.
“Turn around, don’t drown,” the warning stated, noting that most flood-related deaths occur inside vehicles.
Residents and visitors were also warned that flooding can develop in areas where it is not currently raining. Water from distant storms can quickly transform normally dry arroyos, creeks and streams into powerful currents.
Campers and hikers were urged to remain away from waterways and to know their location relative to nearby streams, rivers and arroyos.
Terlingua Fire and EMS is part of Brewster County’s emergency-response network and serves the remote southern portion of the county.
