Update 2:00 p.m. Friday

Officials with the Amarillo Police Department are encouraging Amarillo residents to take precautions as they are driving Friday. This comes as rain continues to fall throughout Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle.

Officials with the department said they are seeing “lots of standing water” and that the area playa lakes are full.

“Please stay home unless you absolutely need to get out and drive,” the release said. “Watch for flooded streets, water on the roads, and running water over roads and other areas.”

Officials said that drivers should not drive their vehicles into standing water, because there could be unseen objects and it could be deeper than it appears, stressing that drivers should “turn around, don’t drown.”

This story will continue to be updated as more information comes in through the live blog at the bottom of this story.

Original Story:

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – According to a Thursday morning announcement from the Texas Department of Transportation, multiple roadways were closed in the Amarillo area due to flooding.

The roadways closed on Thursday in Amarillo included:

• Loop 335 westbound at Coulter;
• Southbound I-27 exit ramp at McCormick; and
• Southbound service road at Sundown Lane.

Roadways closed on Thursday in the surrounding Amarillo area included:

• Country Club north of the golf course clubhouse near Griffin, in Canyon;
• Paul Lindsey Park and the Hunsley Hills Crossing in Canyon; and
• FM 2298 in Deaf Smith County.

MyHighPlains.com staff also reported flooding in the area of 45th and Coulter around McDonald Lake at John Stiff Memorial Park.

As many roadways in the area were reported to be covered in water, said TxDOT officials, drivers were advised to use caution and be aware of possible road closures, delays, and detours.

Drivers can keep up to date with current road conditions using the TxDOT Highway Conditions map.