local
Heavy rain flooded I-35 near Waco and trapped drivers — now TxDOT is explaining what caused the surge
By Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 22, 2026
· 3 min read
Heavy rain Sunday night caused flash flooding on I-35 and its service roads near Waco and leaving drivers stranded Justin Louviere who was driving from Plano to Round Rock, was trapped on the service road as Flat Creek rose on both sides of him, saying he was ready to abandon his car and walk thr...
Key takeaway "Justin Louviere was driving home from Plano to Round Rock when he got stopped on the service road as water filled between the I-35 barriers and reached the service road.
Why this matters in The Waco
The recent flash flooding on I-35 near Waco that stranded drivers like Justin Louviere is a stark reminder of the city's vulnerability to heavy rainfall. With Flat Creek's waters rising rapidly, the situation could have turned disastrous if not for the prompt response of first responders. TxDOT's assertion that standard maintenance of culverts will help prevent such incidents in the future may not be enough to alleviate concerns, especially given the agency's acknowledgment that intense rainfall was the overwhelming factor in the flooding. As Waco continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that city planners and transportation officials prioritize water drainage and flood mitigation measures in their construction projects. The fact that drivers were already wading through a foot and a half of water by the time they were rescued underscores the need for proactive measures to protect both residents and commuters who rely on I-35 and its service roads.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Waco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Heavy rain Sunday night caused flash flooding on I-35 and its service roads near Waco and leaving drivers stranded Justin Louviere who was driving from Plano to Round Rock, was trapped on the service road as Flat Creek rose on both sides of him, saying he was ready to abandon his car and walk thr...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter