HOUSTON, Texas — Remnants of Hurricane Polo could bring heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of Texas from Monday through Wednesday as tropical moisture moves into the state, weather officials said.
The National Weather Service in El Paso issued a flood watch for the El Paso area from noon Monday through 6 a.m. Wednesday and warned of heavy rain, isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Forecasters expect rainfall to begin Monday afternoon and continue through late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. Isolated areas could receive 3 to 4 inches of rain.
West Texas faces flooding risk
The National Weather Service warned of a moderate risk of flash flooding in the El Paso area as the storm system moves through the region.
Forecasters expect the heaviest rainfall to develop late Monday and continue into Tuesday.
The Texas Panhandle could see the system arrive after 7 a.m. Tuesday, with isolated areas potentially receiving rainfall at rates of up to 3 inches per hour.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo also warned of lightning and gusty winds in the Panhandle.
Forecasters said the remnants of Hurricane Polo could move across southern and eastern New Mexico Tuesday evening as they interact with a developing trough over the southwestern United States.
Forecast models have shifted the expected rainfall farther west, raising the possibility that areas west or northwest of the Panhandle could receive heavier rainfall.
Flooding threat continues Wednesday
Forecasters placed the Panhandle under a moderate flooding risk for Tuesday, although no flood watches or warnings had been issued for the area as of Sunday.
The region could face another risk of flash flooding Wednesday and Wednesday night.
Hurricane Polo had weakened to a Category 3 storm Sunday after reaching Category 5 strength. The storm was moving toward Mexico and the Gulf of California.
