Multiple days of torrential downpours have taken a toll on Texas this week and resulted in incidents of flash flooding and water rescues. The worst of the downpours are forecast to diminish on Thursday.

Residents of Houston got a taste of the incoming weather pattern when a record-breaking 1.26 inches of rain fell on Sunday - nearly five times as much as it had so far in June. This set a new daily rainfall record and also took second place for wettest June day in recorded Houston history. As of the late-morning hours on Tuesday, the Houston area has received between 1 and 4 inches of rain from the tropical disturbance thus far.

"In just over 48 hours, ending at 8 a.m. CDT Wednesday, Beaumont, Texas, received just over 11 inches of rain as a fire hose of heavy rain from the Gulf of Mexico lingered in the region," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

In seven hours during Tuesday morning, 8.73 inches of rain fell on Alice, Texas, which is located west of Corpus Christi. Alice has received more than 10 inches of rain from the storm thus far.

At 10 a.m. CDT Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the state operations center to elevate its readiness level as heavy rain and storms continue to impact the region.

"Texas is no stranger to this type of severe weather, and our emergency personnel are ready and well prepared to respond," said Abbott. "Our number one priority is the safety and well-being of Texans, and I encourage everyone in the affected areas to stay safe and heed all warnings from local officials."

Much of southeastern Texas is experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions, with a small portion near Corpus Christi under extreme drought conditions. Drought-relieving rainfall is expected to continue to spread.

Through Thursday morning, "Incredibly moist air will continue to be pushed onshore and result in a prolonged period of showers and thunderstorms from the coast as far inland as San Antonio," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards.

A general storm total 4-8 inches of rain is forecast with local amounts of 12-18 inches in Texas.

Any one storm could drop several inches of rain on an area in just a couple of hours.

Into Thursday morning, the heaviest rain is likely to focus from Brownsville and the lower Rio Grande Valley to Corpus Christi and Victoria, Texas.

"Some localized flooding is also possible in parts of Austin, San Antonio and parts of southwestern Louisiana, where 2-4 inches of rainfall are also expected," Edwards said.

Disruptive downpours are also likely to reach northward through College Station, Huntsville and Palestine, Texas. Downpours will also begin to expand northeastward into Arkansas, northern Mississippi and western Tennessee.

"We expect one batch of rainfall to be drawn northward toward the Mississippi Valley, while another batch of moisture is drawn westward into Mexico during Thursday and Friday," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Downpours are likely to become much more spotty in nature over southeastern Texas to end the week. However, runoff into some of large waterways may lead to significant rises on some of the rivers in the region.

While this flooding rainfall is tropical in nature, development of a tropical depression or storm is not expected.

Preparing for the costliest weather disaster in the US: How to stay safe before, during and after a flood

What does El Niño Watch mean for Atlantic hurricane season, US winter?

Interactive Texas radar

This wet weather pattern has the potential to eliminate drought conditions, but it will also heighten the risk of flooding of homes, businesses and roads, as well as slow traffic and cause airline delays as relentlessly rainy weather persists through midweek.

While tropical in nature and spanning over the course of several days, this rain event will not compare to the devastating 3 to 5 feet of rain that Harvey brought to the region last August.

Motorists are reminded never to drive through flooded roadways, as the water may be deeper than it appears and the road surface may be compromised beneath the water.

Mainly dry weather is forecast to become established in time for the weekend, though there can be a few lingering thunderstorms.

Safety tips to follow during this storm event:

When severe storms threaten, the safest place to be is indoors.
Avoid areas already flooded, and avoid any fast-flowing water.
Do not drive through floodwaters. Remember the phrase "turn around, don't drown."
Flood dangers can be even harder to recognize at night.

Report a Typo