Texas Storms With 15-19.99 in. Measured Maximum Precipitation Max. precip. range: All ranges 25 in. or more 20-24.99 in. 15-19.99 in. 10-14.99 in. 5-9.99 in. 0-4.99 in. 40 storms: sorted by maximum precipitation Select Max. Precip. Range from Gauge     Image Gallery Click on thumbnails for larger image 1.   East Texas August 16 to 21, 1915 Rainfall was heavy ahead and east of a hurricane as it entered Texas. Rainfall continued to be moderate to heavy in the forward quadrants of the storm as it moved through East Texas June 18. Maximum recorded rainfall was 19.8 in. at San Augustine in San Augustine County 7:00 p.m. Aug. 16 to 1:00 p.m. Aug. 19. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   19.80 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   San Augustine Co., San Augustine References:   Schoner and Molansky, 1956 no images available 2.   San Jacinto River Basin November 21 to 26, 1940 The heaviest rainfall recorded in the San Jacinto River Basin was 17.46 in. at Montgomery Nov. 21-25, with 14 in. 2:00 p.m. Nov. 23 to 2:00 p.m. Nov. 24. Shepherd in San Jacinto County recorded 19.68 in. Nov. 21-25, with 16 in. 2:00 p.m. Nov. 23 to 2:00 p.m. Nov. 24. Deaths and Damage:   Highways and railways were damaged greatly, and livestock worth many thousands of dollars drowned. Max. Precipitation:   19.68 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   San Jacinto Co., Shepherd References:   Breeding, 1948b, p. 62-69; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 3.   Gulf Coast August 26 to 29, 1945 The tropical disturbance produced heavy rains on the Texas coast. The extremely slow movement of the tropical disturbance produced heavy rainfall. Maximum recorded storm rainfall was 19.6 in. at Hockley in Harris County 7:00 a.m. Aug. 26 to 1:00 p.m. Aug. 29. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   19.60 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Harris Co., Hockley References:   Schoner and Molansky, 1956; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 4.   Most of Texas August 30 to September 5, 1932 Flooding was disastrous over much of Laredo, Piedras Negras, and Eagle Pass. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   19.50 in. (Freestone Co.) 15.50 in. (Schleicher Co.) Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Freestone Co., Fairfield Schleicher Co., Eldorado References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 5.   Texas and Adjacent States April to June 1957 Total rainfall on much of the eastern two-thirds of Texas for the 3-month period exceeded that normally recorded for a 12-month period. These rains effectively broke the infamous 1950s drought. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   19.32 in. Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Palo Pinto Co., Brazos References:   Yost, 1963, p. 5-9 USGS_23 USGS_34 USGS_35 USGS_36 USGS_72 USGS_37 USGS_38 USGS_39 USGS_40 USGS_73 USGS_41 USGS_42 NWS_12 USGS_70 6.   Scurry and Adjacent Counties June 19 to 20, 1939 Rainfall of 4-19 in. fell during 4-10 hours on an area of about 1,000 mi2 near Snyder in Scurry County. Deaths and Damage:   The resulting flood on the Colorado River and its tributaries caused one death and damage was estimated at $350,000. Max. Precipitation:   19.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Scurry Co., Snyder References:   Breeding and Dalrymple, 1944, p. 104-105 no images available 7.   Edwards Plateau May 15, 1951 Maximum recorded rainfall of 19 in. occurred at Sabinal in Uvalde County. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   19.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Uvalde Co., Sabinal References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 8.   Montgomery County   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... 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:   None no images available 9.   Central and East Texas December 1 to 6, 1913 Rainfall for the last 10 days of November averaged 4.21 in., Guadalupe River Basin; 3.74 in., Colorado River Basin; 3.53 in., Brazos River Basin; 2.98 in., Trinity River Basin; and 4.05 in., San Antonio River Basin. These rains laid the foundation for floods greater than any known at that time. Rains for first few days of December were more or less continuous but were heaviest Dec. 2-4. Rainfall Dec. 1-6 averaged 4.78 in., Guadalupe River Basin; 3.95 in., Colorado River Basin; 5.37 in., Brazos River Basin; 5.30 in., Trinity River Basin; and 2.94 in., San Antonio River Basin. About 85 percent of the rain fell Dec. 2-4. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Flooding resulted in 177 deaths, and losses exceeded $8.5 million. Max. Precipitation:   18.80 in. (Hays Co.) 14.07 in. (Travis Co.) 13.78 in. (Williamson Co.) Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Hays Co., San Marcos Travis Co., Austin Williamson Co., Leander References:   Ellsworth, 1923, p. 46-47 no images available 10.   Central Texas June 10 to 15, 1935 Heavy rain over the Colorado and Nueces River Basins caused flooding greater than any known before. The Llano and West Nueces Rivers experienced extraordinary floods. There were few official rain gages in the area, but unofficial records were compiled from many sources. Heavy rain of 4-12 in. fell during 24 hours. read more... Deaths and Damage:   No loss of life was reported. Flooding caused damage of $20 million. Max. Precipitation:   18.30 in. (Kimble Co.) 17.60 in. (Edwards Co.) Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Kimble Co., Segovia Edwards Co., Carta Valley References:   Asquith and Slade, 1995; Dalrymple and others, 1939, p. 236-240 USGS_24 USGS_51 USGS_44 USGS_45 USGS_46 USGS_48 USGS_50 USGS_54 USGS_60 11.   San Marcos Vicinity May 14 to 15, 1970 Rainfall depths to at least 18 in. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Two deaths and about 400 homes flooded in the San Marcos area. Max. Precipitation:   18.00 in. Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Hays Co., San Marcos Caldwell Co. References:   John Patton, National Weather Service, written commun., 1999 no images available 12.   Rio Grande Watershed June 24 to 30, 1971 The rains ended a severe drought that had affected the area for several months. Reservoirs were less than one-third of conservation capacity. During the 7-day period, rainfall averaged about 9 in. on the entire watershed between Amistad Dam and Falcon Dam. El Indio in Maverick County recorded 16-18 in. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   18.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Maverick Co., El Indio References:   International Boundary and Water Commission, 1971, p. 95-97 no images available 13.   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... 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:   Raines and others, 1998 NWS_34 NWS_35 NWS_37 NWS_38 14.   North-Central Texas April 5 to 30, 1942 The largest amounts of rainfall occurred in Tarrant and Cooke Counties. Tarrant County had nearly 17 in. of rain while Cooke County had about 16.5 in. The highest daily total, 5.7 in., occurred in Cooke County on the 25th. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   17.00 in. (Tarrant Co.) 16.50 in. (Cooke Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Tarrant Co., Ft. Worth Cooke Co., Gainesville References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 15.   Navarro, Hill, Ellis, and Johnson Counties April 20 to May 2, 1966 A series of flood-producing rains of 8-15 in. fell on Chambers Creek watershed Apr. 20-May 2. Rainfall of 7.91-14.75 in. was recorded. Unofficial reports of rainfall indicate that isolated areas of the watershed had as much as 17 in. The greatest rainfall was reported for the area immediately west of Corsicana. Deaths and Damage:   Storm damage was estimated at $441,000. Max. Precipitation:   17.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Navarro Co., Corsicana References:   Soil Conservation Service, 1966a no images available 16.   Most of Texas July 20 to 30, 1902 Rainfall depths up to 17 in. over much of the State causing flooding throughout Texas. Deaths and Damage:   Damage estimated at $5 million. Max. Precipitation:   16.90 in. (Bell Co.) 13.49 in. (Mitchell Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Bell Co., Temple Mitchell Co., Colorado City References:   Dallas Morning News, 1999; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 17.   Harris County December 6 to 8, 1935 Torrential rains in Harris County Dec. 6-8 caused large rises in Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous. Houston reported 5.52 in., and Satsuma in northwestern Harris County reported 16.49 in. Deaths and Damage:   Eight people drowned in the flooding, and property damage was estimated at $ 2.5 million. Max. Precipitation:   16.49 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Harris Co., Satsuma References:   Dalrymple and others, 1939, p. 276-280; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 18.   Coastal Plain September 12 to 16, 1951 Rain of 5-21 in. fell on an area greater than 26,000 mi2, including all of Texas south of latitude 29° and east of longitude 99°. From 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Sept. 13, 7.65 in. was measured. Deaths and Damage:   Floods caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage, and 1,300 people were evacuated. Max. Precipitation:   16.30 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Jim Wells Co., Alice References:   Wells, 1957, p. 288; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 19.   Southeastern and South-Central Texas August 31, 1981 Heavy storms caused considerable flooding in more than a dozen counties in southeastern Texas from Brooks County in southern Texas to as far north as Caldwell and Bastrop Counties. About 20 in. was recorded in the Lavaca River Basin. Karnes City in Karnes County had 16.29 in. of rain during a 24-hour period. Unofficial totals were as much as 19 and 21 in. in other parts of the State. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Flash flooding from the rains killed five people and caused millions of dollars in damages. Max. Precipitation:   16.29 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Karnes Co., Karnes City References:   Bomar, 1982 no images available 20.   North-Central Texas November 5 to 9, 1918 The largest amounts of rainfall occurred in Erath and Bosque Counties. In a 24-hour period from the 7th to the 8th, the city of Kopperl in Bosque County recorded 7.6 in. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   16.21 in. (Erath Co.) 11.59 in. (Erath Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Erath Co., Stephenville Erath Co., Dublin References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 21.   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. 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:   Carr and others, 1990, p. 18 no images available 22.   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. 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:   Paulson and others, 1993, p. 26 no images available 23.   San Antonio September 26 to 27, 1946 Heavy rainfall was recorded for the 2-day period. The center of the storm extended from southern San Antonio south and southeast about 20 mi. More than 16 in. of rain fell on this 110-mi2 area, with 6.61 in. recorded 8:00 p.m. Sept. 26 to 4:00 a.m. Sept. 27. San Antonio Municipal Airport recorded 6.93 in., with 6.61 in. 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Deaths and Damage:   The flood spawned by the storm resulted in the loss of several lives and much property damage around San Antonio. Max. Precipitation:   16.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Bexar Co., San Antonio References:   Breeding, 1947, 1948a; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 24.   Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, Guadalupe, Nueces River Basins September 28 to October 4, 1959 As much as 12 in. of rain caused extensive flooding in the upper Trinity River Basin on Big Fossil, Big Sandy, Chambers, and Richland Creeks and produced historically significant peak discharges at several streamflow-gaging stations. In the middle Brazos River Basin, floods (exceeding all previously known) on North Bosque River and Cowhouse Creek followed rain totaling more than 14 in. at some places. Spring Creek in the middle Colorado River Basin reached its highest stage since 1882 following rainfall that exceeded 10 in. Johnson Creek, in the headwaters of the Guadalupe River, recorded the second highest flood known since at least 1852. Flash flooding on the upper Nueces River Basin followed heavy rain Oct. 3-4. Unofficial totals of as much as 16 in. of rain were reported. Deaths and Damage:   One person drowned during the flood. Big Fossil Creek flooded parts of Richland Hills, a suburb of Fort Worth, causing an estimated $300,000 in damage. Damage to agricultural interests and rural public properties was estimated at $700,000 by the U.S. Weather Bureau. Max. Precipitation:   16.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Tarrant Co., Fort Worth References:   Asquith and Slade, 1995; Hendricks, 1964b, p. 70-74 no images available 25.   New Braunfels May 11 to 12, 1972 During a 4-hour period, 16 in. of rain fell in the San Marcos area in Hays and Caldwell Counties. The National Weather Service reports that about 12 in. of rain fell in about 1 hour. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Seventeen lives were lost to the rampaging floodwaters that inundated 400 homes and caused about $17.5 million in damages. Max. Precipitation:   16.00 in. Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Hays Co., San Marcos Caldwell Co. References:   Colwick and others, 1972 no images available 26.   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... Deaths and Damage:   Thirteen lives were claimed. Max. Precipitation:   16.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Val Verde Co., Del Rio References:   Dallas Morning News, 1999 NWS_39 NWS_40 NWS_41 NWS_42 NWS_43 27.   Central and East Texas April 29 to May 5, 1944 This large storm covered much of Central and East Texas with rainfall depths up to 15 in. The largest depths occurred in the areas of Jackson Hill, Gary, Beaumont, Waco, Lake End, and Whitecliffs. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   15.91 in. (Sabine Co.) 15.70 in. (Sabine Co.) 15.68 in. (Panola Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Sabine Co., Jackson Hill Sabine Co., Bronson Panola Co., Gary References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 28.   Central Texas July 13 to 18, 1900 Heavy rainfall in the Guadalupe River Basin caused about a 75-year flood peak near Comfort, Texas. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   15.85 in. (Galveston Co.) 13.28 in. (Kerr Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Galveston Co., Galveston Kerr Co., Kerrville References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data USGS_20 USGS_21 29.   Gulf Coast September 10 to 12, 1961 The eye of Hurricane Carla crossed the Texas coastline at 3:00 p.m. Sept. 11. Relatively low-intensity rain fell the entire 3-day period. Storm rainfall was 15.32 in. at Galveston, and 11.66 in. at Conroe. Deaths and Damage:   At least 32 people lost their lives. Damage from this destructive storm was an estimated $408 million. Max. Precipitation:   15.32 in. Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Galveston Co., Galveston References:   U.S. Geological Survey, unpub. data no images available 30.   Panhandle and South Texas October 21 to 25, 1914 Rains were unusually heavy in southwestern Texas resulting in damaging floods on the Rio Grande and the San Antonio and Guadalupe Rivers. Deaths and Damage:   Damage was estimated to be about $72,000. Max. Precipitation:   15.20 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Refugio Co., Austwell References:   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 31.   Central and East Texas April 20 to 26, 1915 Rainfall up to 17 in. in North and East Texas caused flooding in the Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe River Basins. Deaths and Damage:   More than 40 lives were lost and property damage was estimated at $2.33 million. Max. Precipitation:   15.10 in. (Cameron Co.) 12.20 in. (Van Zandt Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Cameron Co., Cameron Park Van Zandt Co., Grand Saline References:   Dallas Morning News, 1999; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data no images available 32.   Central and Coastal Texas May 24 to 31, 1929 Rainfall up to 15.0 in. caused flooding throughout much of the State. Deaths and Damage:   Much of the damage was in Houston with an estimated cost of $6 million. Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. (Hays Co.) 12.90 in. (Tyler Co.) 12.20 in. (Harris Co.) Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Hays Co., Driftwood Tyler Co., Rockland Harris Co., Houston References:   Dallas Morning News, 1999 no images available 33.   South Texas September 4 to 6, 1933 A hurricane moved across the Gulf and struck the southern Texas coast during the night Sept. 4. Rainfall was heavy immediately ahead and east of the hurricane as it moved inland over southern Texas during the night Sept. 4 and early morning Sept. 5. Maximum recorded storm rainfall was 15.0 in. at Mercedes in Hidalgo County. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Hidalgo Co., Mercedes References:   Schoner and Molansky, 1956 no images available 34.   Most of Texas September 25 to 28, 1936 The most intense rain was 15 in. near Kaufman in the Trinity River Basin. Heavy rain of 6-15 in. fell on a relatively small area of the Brazos River watershed upstream of Waco. The greatest amount, 15 in., fell at Hillsboro in Hill County. Rain of 6-10 in. fell on a small area of the Colorado River Basin between Marble Falls and Burnet in Burnet County. The rain caused Hamilton Creek to rise higher than at any other time since 1884. read more... Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Hill Co., Hillsboro References:   Dalrymple and others, 1937, p. 52-67 NWS_3 35.   Northwest Texas May 13 to 19, 1951 Heavy thunderstorms May 13-19 produced floods of unusual magnitude on a wide area in western Oklahoma and northwestern Texas. In Texas, Palo Duro Creek Basin, a tributary of Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River northwest of Hereford, had 11 in. of rain. The maximum recorded rainfall was 15 in. at Conway, east of Amarillo. Deaths and Damage:   Five persons lost their lives in flood waters, and estimated damage exceeded $2 million. Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Potter Co., Conway Randall Co. References:   Wells, 1954 no images available 36.   Upper Brazos River Basin September 24 to 25, 1955 Most of the rain fell in less than 24 hours. The storm was widespread, but small areas had heavy rainfall with depths of 10-15 in. The heaviest rainfall recorded was 15 in. west of Justiceburg. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Garza Co., Justiceberg References:   Wells, 1962, p. 127-129 no images available 37.   Southeast Texas June 12 to 13, 1973 A massive storm in the area of Houston, Liberty, and Conroe produced 10-15 in. of rain. Deaths and Damage:   About 10 deaths occurred and about $50 million in damages. Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   Harris Co., Houston References:   Dallas Morning News, 1999 no images available 38.   Trans-Pecos Region September 24 to 25, 1978 Tropical Storm Paul produced 4 to 8 in. of rain in the western and southern Trans-Pecos region. As much as 15 in. fell in and around Guadalupe National Park Sept. 25. The rain deluged northern Mexico and filled reservoirs there to levels that mandated record releases down the Rio Conchos into the Rio Grande at Presidio, causing the worst flooding along the Rio Grande in 74 years. Deaths and Damage:   Unknown Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Major Storm Storm Center(s):   Hudspeth Co., Guadalupe National Park Culberson Co. References:   Bomar, 1979, p. 32-33 no images available 39.   Southeast Texas August 5 to 12, 1980 Almost all of the southern one-fourth of Texas had at least 5 in. of rain from Hurricane Allen. Three-day rainfall totals exceeding 15 in. were reported in parts of Jim Wells and Hidalgo Counties and around Aransas Pass. Deaths and Damage:   Three people drowned in the storm surge, and damage to property was estimated at $650-700 million. Max. Precipitation:   15.00 in. Severity:   Catastrophic Storm Center(s):   San Patricio Co., Aransas Pass Nueces Co. References:   Bomar, 1983a, p. 84-88 no images available 40.   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... 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:   Griffiths and others, 1990, p. 38-40 no images available