State emergency managers say they are watching carefully tropical storm Hermine as it moves from Texas toward Oklahoma.

Officials say the storm is not expected to cause significant problems. However, police, fire, and public works crews are ready to respond if conditions deteriorate.

A flood watch has been issued through Thursday morning and residents are urged to be careful and to avoid driving during a flash flood.

"People who live in or around a flood plain or flood prone area should be hyper vigilant this week and prepared to evacuate to high ground on short notice," said Oklahoma City Emergency Manager Frank Barnes.

Officials say even very small streams, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather are at risk for flooding. 

Oklahoma City residents are reminded to follow the safety tips below:

- Avoid driving during a flash flood.   
- If you can't see the road, don't drive in it.  Turn around and take a different route.  If there is no other route, drive to higher ground and wait for the water to recede.
- Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don't try it. Water hides dips in the road. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can scour away the entire road and a significant amount of ground beneath.
- Six inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing you to lose control or possibly stall.
- Two feet of flowing water is enough to sweep your vehicle away, including SUV's and pickups.
- Never drive around road barriers.
- Attempts to move stalled vehicles can end in drowning.