AUSTIN, Texas – UPDATE: As of 1:30 p.m. the Flash Flood Warning has expired, according to the National Weather Service. Showers and thunderstorms are likely throughout the afternoon. New rainfall is expected to be less than a tenth of a inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. 

A flash flood watch is in effect for counties east of I-35 until 7 p.m. 

ORIGINAL STORY: Heavy rain is hitting Austin and surrounding areas hard Wednesday morning and into the afternoon prompting a Flash Flood Warning, which has been extended to 1:30 p.m.

The warning includes Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Hays counties.

A power outage caused by the storm has left residents across Austin neighborhoods in the dark. Austin Energy crews are working to restore power. 

A tornado warning was issued for Southeastern Caldwell County in south-central Texas. 

All New Braunfels ISD schools opened on a 2-hour delayed start today, due to inclement weather conditions. 

The rain has been picking up since 1 a.m. Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitsimmons said the rain has been falling with more than two inches in Austin over the past 24 hours. 

The radar is showing the heaviest areas across Interstate 35. 

So far there have been a few road closures due to high water. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is reporting water on the roadway at Farm to Market 1331 west of Farm to Market 619.