As a climate scientist who calls Texas home, I can tell you that the Hill Country of Texas is no stranger to flooding. Meteorologists often refer to it as “Flash Flood Alley” because of its steep terrain, shallow soils, and its history of sudden and intense rainfall.

Central Texas is infamous for its flash flooding and arid soil, hard-packed ground into which water does not easily infiltrate. So when rain hits the ground, it runs off the region's hilly terrain and canyons and accumulates into creeks and rivers rapidly, overwhelming them, causing them to rise quickly.

FOX 26 meteorologist John Dawson spoke with Climate Central's Shel Winkley about how climate change was a factor - but not the sole contributor - in the deadly Texas flooding. Before that, Mike Iscovitz and Allison Gargaro looks at local and Central Texas weather conditions.