As a powerful storm moves out of the Plains, areas of heavy rain could lead to flash flooding, and some of the strongest thunderstorms may threaten lives and property into Friday.

Rainfall from central Texas to Kansas and Missouri will bring both benefits and hazards. Parts of the region need a thorough soaking to ease drought conditions, but quick runoff has already lead to street and highway flooding and rapid rises on some rivers and small streams.

A general 1 to 4 inches of rain has fallen from the Rio Grande Big Bend region of Texas to near the Mississippi River in Missouri as of Friday morning.

The heaviest rainfall — totaling 4 to 8 inches with a maximum observed value of 7.63 inches — occurred Texas Hill Country northwest of San Antonio as of daybreak Friday.

The hilly terrain

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