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Image Gallery
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| 1. |
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| Central Texas |
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| June 30-July
7, 2002 |
On June 30, 2002, a low-pressure system migrating
westward from Florida combined with a flow of deep tropical
moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and moved over southern Texas.
The system hit a wall of high pressure and stalled over the
central and south-central parts of the State. For 8 days, the
storm system continued to draw moisture from the Gulf, which
triggered several massive storms throughout much of the area.
As much as 35 in. of rain fell during the event, with heaviest
depths occurring in the Texas Hill Country northwest of San
Antonio. Flooding affected about 80 counties in Texas.
Heavy rain also fell in parts of West Texas, including Abilene,
where 12-14 in. of rain in the pre-dawn hours of July 6 caused
flooding that required numerous evacuations. Heavy rains also
caused Lake Brownwood to overflow, causing evacuations and flooding
in parts of Brownwood.
The floods caused 12 deaths and damage to about 48,000 homes.
Nearly 250 flood rescue calls were reported, more than 130 roads
were closed, and thousands of homes and businesses lost electrical
power and telephone service. Twenty-four counties were identified
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Federal
Declared Disaster areas—14 counties were eligible for individual
assistance and 10 counties for individual and public assistance.
Emergency management representatives had not yet assessed the
total cost of damages.
The storms produced large volumes of runoff and as many as four
flood peaks at each of many streamflow-gaging stations in the
Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe River Basins. Record flood stages
occurred at sites on the Medina River, San Antonio River, Sabinal
River, and Nueces River. For the first time since it filled
in 1968, Canyon Lake (northeast of San Antonio) poured over
its spillway, adding to the flooding in the Guadalupe River.
Emergency managers also were concerned about the 90-year-old
dam at Medina Lake (west of San Antonio). Medina Lake topped
its spillway and rose to within 18 in. of the top of the dam.
Areas downstream from the dam were evacuated as a precaution
because of the fear of dam failure. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Twelve deaths occurred during the flooding and damages were
estimated to be about $1 billion. |
| Max. Precipitation:
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35.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Kerr Co.
Kendall Co.
Taylor Co., Abilene |
| References:
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http://tx.usgs.gov/ |
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 USGS_77 |
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| 2. |
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| Central Texas |
See floodsafety.com. |
| November 15, 2001 |
| The storm of November 15, 2001,
began with mild to moderate rainfall over the night of November
14th and through the morning of November 15th. At about 3:30
p.m. on November 15th, a large thunderstorm cell began to
approach the Hays-Travis County line, with tornadoes and intense
rainfall. The tornadoes touched at various locations along
the I-35 corridor starting near Buda and the Ben White Blvd.
- I-35 interchange and continuing north and east through Travis
County. The heaviest rainfall began about 3:30 p.m. over south-central
Austin in the middle of the Slaughter Creek Basin and upper
South Boggy Creek Basin. The intense thunderstorm cells continued
to track rapidly and generally north-northeast over Barton
Creek at Loop 360, West Bouldin Creek, Johnson Creek, and
Shoal Creek. The area of the most intense rainfall decreased
as it tracked farther north over the upper Little Walnut and
Walnut Creek watersheds. Although the storm gradually decreased
in intensity over the next 6 hours, it continued to produce
intense rainfall.
Widespread rainfall totals typically ranged from 5 to 8 in.,
with individual reports of 10 in. and more. Much of this rain
fell within about 6 hours. Generally, the storm intensities
and flood levels were higher on the south and west sides of
Austin. Rainfall intensities exceeded the estimated 100-year
rainfall rates in some locations and caused widespread but
isolated flood damage where the drainage capacity of streets
and storm drains was exceeded by localized rainfall.
The flow measured in area creeks does not match the statistical
significance of individual maximum rainfall measurements because
the intense rainfall was not evenly distributed over all of
the watersheds. For example, the USGS estimated that the flood
peak in Onion Creek at U.S. Highway 183 was approximately
93,200 cubic feet per second, which corresponds to about a
50-year peak. Other watersheds on the south and west (for
example, Slaughter, Williamson, South Boggy, West and East
Bouldin, Barton, Bull, Johnson, and Shoal Creeks) experienced
flood peaks that correspond to a return period of 5 to 20
years. The USGS gage on Shoal Creek at W. 12th Street recorded
a peak corresponding to approximately a 10-year return period.
Watersheds on the east side of town (for example, Waller,
Boggy, Tannehill, Fort, and Buttermilk Creeks) were less affected
and experienced flood peaks corresponding to return periods
of less than 10 years. Other watersheds that flow from northwest
to east (for example, Little Walnut and Walnut Creeks) experienced
peaks corresponding to return periods of up to 10 years. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
968 homes were flooded and cost of damages to public property
was 11.3 million dollars. |
| Max. Precipitation:
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14.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Travis Co |
| References:
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http://tx.usgs.gov/ |
Report assisted by City of Austin.
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| 3. |
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| Southeast Texas |
See floodsafety.com |
| June 6 to 9, 2001 |
| Twenty-seven counties were declared federal disaster
areas after as much as 36 in. of rainfall from Tropical Storm
Allison fell on the area. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Twenty-three deaths occurred. Damages claimed at least 5,000
buildings, about 10,000 homes, and were assessed at about $5
billion dollars. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
36.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s):
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Harris Co., Houston |
| References:
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http://tx.usgs.gov/ |
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| 5. |
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| South-Central Texas |
| August 22, 1998 |
| Up to 16 in. of rainfall in south-central Texas
caused flooding in many counties, with the city of Del Rio receiving
the worst damages. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Thirteen lives were claimed. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
16.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Val Verde Co., Del Rio |
| References:
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Dallas Morning News, 1999 |
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| 6. |
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| South-Central Texas |
| June 21 to 22, 1997 |
| Up to 18 in. of rainfall occurred in a 2-day period
on an area covering parts of 18 south-central Texas counties.
Record-breaking peak discharges were recorded at eight streamflow-gaging
stations in the area. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
The total property damage for which owners were eligible
for disaster assistance was about $10.4 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
18.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Kendall Co., Sisterdale |
| References:
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Raines and others, 1998 |
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| 7. |
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| Southeast Texas |
| April 10, 1997 |
| Up to 13 in. of rainfall in southeast Texas caused
flooding in parts of the Lavaca River Basin. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
13.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Lavaca Co., Shiner |
| References:
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John Patton, National Weather Service, written commun., 1999 |
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| 8. |
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| Central Texas |
| February 20, 1997 |
| Up to 8 in. of rainfall near Harper caused flooding
in the Devils, Pedernales, and Llano River Basins. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
8.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Gillespie Co., Harper |
| References:
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John Patton, National Weather Service, written commun., 1999 |
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| 9. |
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| Val Verde County |
| February 20, 1997 |
| Up to about 7.6 in. of rainfall caused flooding
on the Pedernales and James Rivers. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
7.60 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Val Verde Co., Del Rio |
| References:
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None |
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| 10. |
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| South-Central Texas |
| October 27 to 28, 1996 |
| Up to 12 in. of rainfall in a 2-day period in south-central
Texas caused flooding in the Nueces, Dry Frio, and Guadalupe
River Basins. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
12.00 in. (Gillespie Co.)
11.00 in. (Edwards Co.) |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Gillespie Co., Harper
Edwards Co., Rocksprings |
| References:
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John Patton, National Weather Service, written commun., 1999 |
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| 12. |
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| Llano and Gillespie Counties |
| May 29, 1995 |
| Rainfall depths up to 8 in. caused flooding in parts
of Williamson, Mason, Llano, and Gillespie Counties. The largest
flood damages occurred in Sandy Creek and Lake LBJ. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
Unknown |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Williamson Co.
Mason Co.
Llano Co.
Gillespie Co. |
| References:
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John Patton, National Weather Service, written commun., 1999 |
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| 13. |
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| Montgomery County |
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| May 29, 1995 |
| Up to 19 in. of rainfall caused flooding on Cypress
and Spring Creeks and the West and East Forks of San Jacinto
River. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
About 16,000 homes were damaged and 22 flood deaths were
reported. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
19.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Montgomery Co., Conroe |
| References:
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None |
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| 14. |
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| Southeast Texas |
| October 15 to 19, 1994 |
| A tropical, mid-latitude rainfall of unusual proportion
on a 30- to 35-county area of southeast Texas resulted in catastrophic
flooding. The intense rainfalls totaled more than 25 in. at
several locations and more than 8 in. on much of southeast Texas.
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Flooding caused 18 deaths and property damage was estimated
to be about $700 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
12.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Nacogdoches Co., Chireno |
| References:
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Liscum and East, 1995; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
1995 |
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| 15. |
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| Bexar County |
| May 5, 1993 |
| Up to 8 in. of rainfall in Bexar County produced
large peaks on Olmos Creek and Salado Creek. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
8.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Bexar Co. |
| References:
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None |
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| 16. |
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| South-Central Texas |
| May 16 to 17, 1992 |
| Heavy rainfall in Wilson County caused the bridge
over Loop 181 on Kicaster Creek near Floresville to fail. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Bridge over Loop 181 on Kicaster Creek near Floresville
failed. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
Unknown |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Wilson Co., Floresville |
| References:
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None |
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| 17. |
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| Central Texas |
See floodsafety.com |
| December 18 to 23, 1991 |
| Record-breaking peak discharges were recorded at
several streamflow-gaging stations in a large area of central
Texas Dec. 18-23. Daily rainfall totals exceeded 4 in. at numerous
locations. Maximum recorded 24-hour rainfall was 8.6 in., and
maximum recorded 12-hour rainfall was 7.3 in., both at Evant
in Coryell County. Medina had 15.59 in. during 5 days. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Ten deaths were attributed to the flooding. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency dispensed about $43 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
8.60 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Coryell Co., Evant |
| References:
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Asquith and Slade, 1995; Hejl and others, 1996 |
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| 18. |
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| North Texas |
| May 1 to 7, 1990 |
| Heavy rainfall May 1-4 produced major flooding in
North Texas during early May. Rainfall was 5-9 in. on north-central
sections of North Texas and 2-5 in. elsewhere. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
6.91 in. (Dallas Co.)
6.36 in. (Dallas Co.) |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Dallas Co., Dallas Naval Air Station
Dallas Co., Dallas Love Field |
| References:
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1990 |
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| 19. |
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| Brown County |
| April 25, 1990 |
| As much as 16 in. of rain fell during a 24-hour
period. Brownwood Airport measured 16.05 in. Flooding was the
worst in the Brownwood area since 1954. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
About 1,300 people were evacuated from low-lying areas of
Brown County. Floods caused millions of dollars in damages. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
16.05 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Brown Co., Brownwood |
| References:
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Paulson and others, 1993, p. 26 |
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| 20. |
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| Southwest Texas |
| June 26 to July 7, 1989 |
| Tropical Storm Allison caused torrential rains of
10-15 in. from Houston to Beaumont. Houston Intercontinental
Airport recorded 10.34 in. during 24 hours. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Heavy rains caused major flooding that was responsible for
three deaths and estimated damages of $60 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
10.34 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Harris Co., Houston Intercontinental Airport |
| References:
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Griffiths and others, 1990, p. 42-44 |
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| 21. |
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| Upper Coast and North Texas |
| May 16 to 19, 1989 |
| Houston Intercontinental Airport recorded 10.28
in. May 17-18. Spring recorded more than 15 in. during a 24-hour
period May 17-18. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Widespread rains caused flooding that resulted in five deaths
and total damages of about $50 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
15.00 in. (Harris Co.)
10.28 in. (Harris Co.) |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Harris Co., Spring
Harris Co., Houston Intercontinental Airport |
| References:
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Griffiths and others, 1990, p. 38-40 |
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| 22. |
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| East Texas |
| March 28 to 29, 1989 |
| Heavy rainfall from strong thunderstorms fell on
East Texas. Rain gages recorded 14.16 in. at Longview, 12.17
in. at Atlanta, and 11.05 in. at Henderson. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Flooding caused the death of one man and estimated damages
of $10-16 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
14.16 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Gregg Co., Longview
Harrison Co. |
| References:
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Griffiths and others, 1990, p. 31-32 |
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| 23. |
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| South Texas |
| September 16 to 18, 1988 |
| Heavy rain caused by remnants of Hurricane Gilbert
began during the morning Sept. 16 in South Texas. Heaviest reported
rainfall was 8.71 in. Sept. 16-18 at Lamar in Aransas County.
In the lower Rio Grande Valley, 6.40 in. fell at Adams Gardens.
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
8.71 in. (Aransas Co.)
6.40 in. (Cameron Co.) |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Aransas Co., Lamar
Cameron Co., Adams Gardens |
| References:
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1988, p.
41-42 |
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| 24. |
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| North-Central Texas |
| June 1, 1988 |
| Intense thunderstorms during the night June 1 dumped
more than 10 in. on Comanche County. The storm caused flooding
in more than a dozen counties. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Damage was estimated at $3-5 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
10.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Comanche Co., Comanche |
| References:
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Paulson and others, 1991, p. 23 |
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| 25. |
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| Near Paint Rock on Concho River |
| May 11, 1988 |
| Intense rainfall of 2-3 in. caused a flash flood
on the Concho River near Paint Rock. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
In nearby San Angelo, floodwaters swept away one person. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
3.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Concho Co., Paint Rock |
| References:
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Paulson and others, 1991, p. 23 |
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| 26. |
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| Hill Country |
| July 16 to 17, 1987 |
| During the evening July 16 and early morning July
17, storms produced flash floods across seven counties north
and northwest of San Antonio. Heavy rains in Kerrville began
at 4:00 a.m., and by dawn 3.3 in. had fallen. As much as 11.50
in. of rain fell at Hunt, with 5-10 in. on surrounding areas.
read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Flooding caused tragic loss of life when a church bus filled
with 39 teenagers and 4 adults was swept into a raging river.
Ten persons drowned and the remaining 33 were rescued by helicopter. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
11.50 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Kerr Co., Hunt |
| References:
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1987, p.
14-16 |
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| 27. |
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| South-Central Texas |
| May 29 to June 13, 1987 |
| Two weeks of intense rainfall in south-central Texas
caused flooding in the Medina, Colorado, Guadalupe, and San
Antonio River Basins. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
10.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Kinney Co., Brackettville |
| References:
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John Patton, National Weather Service, written commun., 1999 |
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| 28. |
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| Extreme South Texas |
| February 6, 1987 |
| Torrential rains of 6-7 in. fell during a 2-hour
period in parts of Brownsville in Cameron County. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
7.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Cameron Co., Brownsville |
| References:
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Carr and others, 1990, p. 21 |
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| 29. |
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| Southwest Texas |
| October 4 to 5, 1986 |
| In northern Val Verde County, 10-15 in. of rain
Oct. 5 caused severe flooding on the Devils and Dry Devils Rivers.
McCamey in southwestern Upton County reported 16.21 in. during
24 hours. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
One drowning occurred when a car was washed off a road |
| Max. Precipitation: |
16.21 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Upton Co., McCamey |
| References:
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Carr and others, 1990, p. 18 |
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| 30. |
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| East Texas |
| June 26 to 29, 1986 |
| Torrential rains of 6 in. or more caused widespread
flooding, including about 150 mi along the downstream one-half
of the Neches River. Ace in southern Polk County had 13 in.
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| Deaths and Damage: |
More than 23,000 people were evacuated from the Texas-Louisiana
coastal area, where sustained wind and water damage was at least
$1.5 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
13.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Polk Co., Ace |
| References:
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1986, p.
52 |
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