GALLERY: Flash flood warnings issued as heavy rain slams the Big Country

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – When the sky starts to rumble, many West Texans know what’s likely to follow — flash flooding. And across the Big Country today, that threat became a reality.

Flash flood warnings were issued for several counties, including Taylor, Callahan, Jones, and Shackelford. Meanwhile, flood watches were in effect for Comanche and Mills Counties. Check out these photos from Cat Claw Creek in Abilene.

According to the US National Weather Service in Abilene/San Angelo, the West Texas Mesonet station on the ACU campus recorded just under an inch of rainfall. Radar estimates show more than 2 inches fell in some nearby areas. This was the scene earlier at the River Oaks Shopping Center.

Abilene residents took to social media, sharing photos and videos of flooding in familiar spots like People’s Plaza and intersections along Ambler Avenue. In the Sayles area, trash cans were seen floating through the streets. Even one of our reporters had trouble navigating safely while heading to cover water rescues.