Flood watch in effect for more than 11 million people in Texas and Oklahoma

A flood watch remains in effect for more than 11 million people in Texas and Oklahoma as of Saturday morning, as a number of flood warnings are in effect and residents are urged not to drive on flooded roadways.

Several rivers in the Houston area are in major flood stage, with the Trinity River, located northeast of Houston, likely reaching its highest level on record today.

Not only is it predicted to increase from what it was during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, but it will likely surpass its 1945 all-time high.

The heaviest rains eased in Southeast Texas Saturday morning, with the region expected to see a respite for the day.

However, on Sunday a mass of heavy rain is set to return and is expected to flood this area with an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain. There is also expected to be heavy rain across much of Oklahoma, with cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa also facing 1 to 3 inches of rain.

Meanwhile, powerful thunderstorms have appeared every day this week in parts of Texas, and that will be the case again on Saturday.

An increased risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast for parts of West Texas on Saturday and this afternoon and evening strong storms could bring damaging winds, large hail and scattered tornadoes to cities like Midland and San Angelo, Texas.

Additionally, this severe weather threat is expected to move eastward into the Houston area on Sunday, bringing a risk of torrential rain, as the risk of more severe thunderstorms Monday across the central Plains from Dallas to Sioux Falls is possible.

In parts of the country, the first scorching heat wave of next year could arrive by midweek, as temperatures across much of the South are expected to climb into the 90s and 100s.