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| 2. |
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| East Texas and Upper Coast |
| July 24 to 28, 1979 |
| Continuous, torrential rains fell in the eastern
upper coast and southeastern Texas for almost 48 hours causing
major flooding that closed streets and highways and forced hundreds
of residents from their homes. Rainfall totals of 10-20 in.
for 2 and 3 days were common. Alvin in Brazoria County recorded
the maximum 24-hour rainfall on record for the United States
of 43 in. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Unknown |
| Max. Precipitation: |
43.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Brazoria Co., Alvin |
| References: |
Bomar, 1980, p. 369-375 |
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| 3. |
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| Central Texas |
| September 8 to 10, 1921 |
| Heavy rainfall over a large area in Central Texas
Sept. 8-10 produced peak discharges at several streamflow-gaging
stations. Taylor in Williamson County recorded 23.98 in. during
35 hours, with 23.11 in. during 24 hours. Bucket surveys determined
that Thrall had 32 in. of rain in 12 hours. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Flooding caused the loss of at least 224 lives and resulted
in property damage of more than $19 million. |
| Max. Precipitation:
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40.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Williamson Co., Taylor |
| References:
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Asquith and Slade, 1995; Ellsworth, 1923, p. 1-13 |
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| 4. |
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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): |
Harris Co., Houston |
| References: |
http://tx.usgs.gov/ |
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| 5. |
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| Central Texas |
| June 30 to July 2, 1932 |
| Heavy rain June 30-July 3 on parts of the Nueces
and Guadalupe River Basins produced historically significant
peak discharges at several streamflow-gaging stations. Very
heavy rain fell on the upper Guadalupe River Basin west of Kerrville
June 30-July 2. This rain amounted to more than 35 in. during
about 36 hours at the State Fish Hatchery above Ingram. Heavy
rainfall also was recorded in the Frio and Medina River Basins.
Rainfall of 14 in. was measured at Bandera, Lima, and Medina
in the Medina River Basin. Vanderpool, at the headwaters of
the Medina River, measured 33.5 in. July 1-2. The floods in
the Frio River were the highest known at that time. The heaviest
rainfall on the Frio River Basin was at Rio Frio in Real County,
where 24 in. was recorded July 1-2. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Flash floods were responsible for seven deaths, and property losses exceeded $0.5 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
35.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Kerr Co., State Fish Hatchery |
| References: |
Asquith and Slade, 1995; Dalrymple and others, 1937, p. 119-123;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data |
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6.
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| Central Texas |
See floodsafety.com. |
| June
30-July 7, 2002 |
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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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| 7. |
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| Central and East Texas |
| June 28 to July 1, 1899 |
| Rainfall centered over the Brazos River Basin averaged
17 in. over an area of about 7,000 mi2. One storm center was
in Robertson County near the city of Hearne, and another was
in Coryell County. Hearne reported 34 in. of rain, and Turnersville
reported 33 in. Long-time residents in the area described the
flood on the Brazos River as the worst in their lifetime. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
As many as 35 people died, and damage was estimated at $9 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
34.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Robertson Co., Hearne |
| References: |
Williams and Lowry, 1929; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub.
data; Ellsworth, 1923, p. 47 |
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| 8. |
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| Lower Rio Grande Basin |
| June 24 to 29, 1954 |
| Hurricane Alice moved inland from the Gulf of Mexico
June 24. The heaviest rainfall recorded was on the Pecos River
below Sheffield and its tributary, Howards Creek. On Johnson
Draw (a tributary of the Devils River), a large part of the
town of Ozona was severely flooded, and several people drowned.
As much as 34 in. of rain was observed at two centers 22 and
40 mi north of Langtry. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
An unknown number of lives were lost in the floodwaters,
particularly at Piedras Negras, Mexico, opposite Eagle Pass,
Tex. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
34.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Val Verde Co., Langtry |
| References: |
International Boundary and Water Commission, 1954, p. 56-57;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data; Wells, 1959d, p.
228-229 |
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| 9. |
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| South Texas |
| September 19 to 25, 1967 |
| Rainfall produced by Hurricane Beulah caused floods
of record-breaking magnitude on many streams in a 50,000-mi2
area of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico in September
and October. The hurricane crossed the Texas coastline near
Brownsville about daybreak Sept. 20 and dissipated in the mountains
of northern Mexico Sept. 22. During Sept. 19-25, as much as
25.5 in. of rain was measured at Falls City in Karnes County.
Unofficial measurements were as much as 34 in. in the Nueces
River Basin. The rains produced historically significant peak
discharges at several streamflow-gaging stations. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
The storm covered about 39 counties in Texas, causing 44 deaths and $145 million in damages. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
34.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Cameron Co., Brownsville |
| References: |
Asquith and Slade, 1995; Schroeder and others, 1974 |
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| 10. |
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| Colorado River Basin |
| September 13 to 18, 1936 |
| Sandy and Walnut Creeks in the Colorado River Basin
reached the highest stages known at the time. Rainfall exceeded
30 in. Sept. 13-18 at some locations in a large part of the
Concho River Basin. In the vicinity of Fort McKavett in Menard
County, more than 10 in. of rain fell Sept. 13-16. At the headwaters
of Terrett Draw, about 10 mi south of Fort McKavett, 21-25 in.
fell noon Sept. 15 to noon Sept. 16. A very heavy rain of 8-30
in., with 14 in. during about 2.5 hours at one location, fell
on the North Llano River Basin Sept. 13-16. The maximum storm
rainfall of 30.0 in. was recorded at Broome in Sterling County
from 1:00 a.m. Sept. 15 to 7:00 p.m. Sept. 17. read
more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
San Angelo in Tom Green County had extensive damage—about
300 buildings were washed away. Much of the business district
and 500 homes in San Angelo were flooded. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
30.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Sterling Co., Broome |
| References: |
Dalrymple and others, 1937, p. 52-67; Schoner and Molansky, 1956 |
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| 11. |
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| Gulf Coast |
| June 24 to 26, 1960 |
| A tropical storm moving inland caused
general rain of 8 in. or more on about 20,000 mi2.
Rainfall totals of more than 30 in. were recorded at Port Lavaca
during the period June 24-26. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Eight people drowned, and damage was estimated at $3.5 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
30.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Calhoun Co., Port Lavaca |
| References: |
Rostvedt, 1965a, p. 92-95 |
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| 13. |
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| East Texas and Upper Coast |
| September 17 to 21, 1979 |
| Three-day rainfall totals throughout the upper coast were 8-27 in. Freeport in Brazoria County recorded 27 in. of rain. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Four people drowned, and damage was estimated at $8 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
27.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Brazoria Co., Freeport |
| References: |
Bomar, 1980, p. 429-436 |
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| 14. |
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| Guadalupe and Lower Colorado River
Basins |
| September 9 to 11, 1952 |
| Two to 26 in. of rain fell on a 25,000-mi2 area
that formed a 100-mi-wide belt extending from Corpus Christi
northwestward for 250 mi. Storm totals of 20-26 in. were concentrated
in a small area in Blanco and Kendall Counties. Hye in Blanco
County recorded 23.55 in. during 48 hours, with 20.70 in. during
one 24-hour period. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Floods killed five people and caused an estimated $17 million
in damage. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
26.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Blanco Co., Hye |
| References: |
Breeding and Montgomery 1954, p. 2-11; Orton, 1966, p. 1-17;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unpub. data |
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| 15. |
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| South Texas and Coastal Bend |
| September 7 to 13, 1971 |
| Hurricane Fern dumped heavy rainfall as it moved
along the coast and inland. The heaviest rainfall was in the
Coastal Bend area and extreme South Texas. Maximum recorded
precipitation was 22.67 in. at Kaffie Ranch, about 27 mi southwest
of Falfurrias in Brooks County. A bucket survey in Bee County
indicated rainfall totals of 26 in. 2 mi south-southeast of
Beeville and 25.7 in. 3 mi north of Skidmore. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Total flood damage from Hurricane Fern was an estimated $28.3
million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
25.70 in. |
| Severity: |
Major Storm |
| Storm Center(s): |
Bee Co., Skidmore |
| References: |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1972 |
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| 16. |
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| Central and East Texas |
| September 5 to 10, 1980 |
| Tropical Storm Danielle produced torrential rains
over a large part of Texas. Jefferson and Orange Counties had
12-16 in. of rain. In Kimble County, downpours of 25 in. caused
massive flooding along the Llano River. The San Angelo area
in Tom Green County had 5-9 in. of rain. The effects of Danielle
were felt as far west as Big Bend National Park, where 4-8 in.
fell. |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Floodwaters damaged about 900 homes, 175 businesses, and
hundreds of automobiles. Kimble, Mason, Menard, and Llano Counties
had damages totaling $20 million. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
25.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
Kimble Co., Junction |
| References: |
Bomar, 1983a, p. 88-94 |
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| 17. |
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| Jim Wells, Nueces, Refugio, and San
Patricio Counties |
| October 19, 1984 |
| Strong thunderstorms along a stationary front north of Corpus Christi produced heavy downpours Oct. 19 that resulted in serious flash flooding. read more... |
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| Deaths and Damage: |
Odem in San Patricio County had an unofficial total of 25 in. during a 3.5-hour period, making the event one of the largest depths for this duration in the United States. |
| Max. Precipitation: |
25.00 in. |
| Severity: |
Catastrophic |
| Storm Center(s): |
San Patricio Co., Odem |
| References: |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1984b, p. 25 |
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