North Texas Flood Watch: 2 to 5 Inches Along I-35 This Week

What happened

A North Texas flood watch is out for the middle of this week. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued it early on Sept. 29, 2026.

The watch runs from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon. It covers 29 counties in North and Central Texas, mainly along and west of I-35. That includes Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, Hill and McLennan counties.

Slow-moving storms may drop 2 to 5 inches of rain, with more in some spots. The weather service warns that low-water crossings may flood.

It is not only Dallas-Fort Worth. The weather service office in San Angelo put 24 west central Texas counties under a flash flood watch. That area includes San Angelo, Abilene, Sweetwater and Brownwood. It lasts from late tonight through late Thursday night. Forecasters there expect 2 to 4 inches, and 7 inches or more in some places. They say flash flooding is likely.

Farther south, the Brownsville office says heavy rain could reach the Rio Grande Valley on Thursday and last into the weekend. Until then, the Valley stays very hot, with heat index values of 105 to 115.

What it means for owner-operators

This storm hits some of the busiest freight lanes in the country. I-35, I-20 and I-30 all run through the watch area. Loads moving between Laredo, San Antonio, Dallas and Oklahoma may run into slow traffic, closed roads and long delays.

Flooded roads are a real danger for big trucks. Water can hide a washed-out road. A loaded trailer can still be pushed off the road by moving water. Low-water crossings on rural roads are the worst spots.

Delays also cost money. A missed appointment can mean a lost load or a late fee. And a wet week is not a reason to cut corners on your hours or your logs.

What to do next

• Check the forecast and road conditions before you leave. TxDOT posts closures at DriveTexas.org.
• Never drive into water covering the road. Turn around and find another way.
• Stay off rural roads with low-water crossings when it is raining hard.
• Call your broker or shipper early if the weather will make you late. Get any new appointment time in writing.
• Keep your logs honest, even when the day falls apart.
• Make sure your permits and filings are current before a busy week. Our filing guide for owner-operators walks you through each one.

Need help keeping your authority and permits in order? Call TCZ Permits at 956-526-6727.