Posted: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:55 AM - 7,248 Readers

By: The Associated Press

Heavy rains caused sewer pipes to overflow in north Texas and led to minor flooding in central Texas, where at least one death was reported.

The city of Fort Worth experienced several sewer overflows on Thursday when rainwater entered the city's sewer pipe lines and discharged into Lake Arlington and the Village Creek Wastewater Treatment plant, city officials said in a news release.

In central Texas, officials had to open flood gates at two local dams to help control flooding as heavy rains continued to fall. Some Hill Country residents have watched floodwaters encroach upon their homes, while others have reported roof damage from the heavy rains.

Searchers in Burnet recovered the body of a 47-year-old Deer Springs woman whose vehicle apparently was swept away late Wednesday at a low-water crossing following torrential rains, the River Cities Daily Review in Marble Falls reported.

Lower Colorado River Authority officials were also keeping a watchful eye on Lake Travis as waters could rise to between 642 and 644 feet over the next couple of days. Water levels were at 637 feet earlier on Thursday.

Forecasters for the National Weather Service expect dry conditions on Friday.

In northern Texas, skies should be sunny with highs in the mid-60s, lows in the 40s and gusting winds as high as 20 mph around Dallas and Fort Worth

Wind chill values could make for a cold morning in the Panhandle. Forecasters predict temperatures could feel somewhere between the upper 20s and upper 30s before warming up to highs in the 60s. Skies should be sunny and mostly clear with a low around 40.

Sunshine was also forecast for other parts of the state with central Texas, the Gulf Coast and western Texas all expected to have sunny weather and clear skies.

Temperatures could range from a high in the upper 70s to a low in the 50s around Austin and San Antonio with a similar forecast for the Houston area. A high near 80 and low around 50 was forecast around El Paso.

*  Story Contributed by: The Associated Press