Alert archive / Texas / Flash Flood Warnings in 1997

Flash Flood Warning 64, NWS Corpus Christi, TX

October 9, 1997Nueces County, San Patricio County, Texas

NWS Corpus Christi, TX issued this flash flood warning at Oct 9, 1997, 11:43 AM CDT for Nueces County, San Patricio County, Texas. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: Oct 9, 1997, 11:43 AM CDT (16:43 UTC)
Expired: Oct 9, 1997, 2:45 PM CDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Corpus Christi, TX
Area: Whole counties

Counties Nueces County, TX, San Patricio County, TX

The radar

The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 10 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:47 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Corpus Christi, TX (KCRP), launched 12:00Z, 4.7 hours before the alert went out and 24 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 162 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -38 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 693 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 2 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 52 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KCRP 091645
FFWCRP
TXC355-409-091945-
 
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1143 AM CDT THU OCT 9 1997
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CORPUS CHRISTI HAS ISSUED A
FLASH FLOOD WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  245 PM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY...S...
 
IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS
 
   ...NUECES COUNTY...SAN PATRICIO COUNTY
 
AT 1140 AM CDT CORPUS CHRISTI DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LARGE AREA
OF THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING TORRENTIAL RAINFALL CONTINUING ACROSS
THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF NUECES COUNTY AND MOST OF SAN PATRICIO COUNTY.
ALSO...THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED TO MOVE NORTH AND NORTHWEST FROM THE GULF
OF MEXICO INTO THE WARNED AREAS...THEREFORE THE FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS
HAVE BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH MID AFTERNOON.  SOME AREAS ACROSS EASTERN
NUECES AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES HAVE RECEIVED AS MUCH AS SIX TO
EIGHT INCHES OF RAINFALL SINCE EARLY THIS MORNING.
 
AN ADDITIONAL FOUR INCHES OF RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE WARNED AREA
THROUGH MID AFTERNOON AS THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE SAME
FLOODED AREAS. PARTICULARLY HARD HIT HAVE BEEN THE CORPUS CHRISTI...
PORTLAND...AND SINTON AREAS.
 
THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING WEATHER SITUATION.
TRAVEL IS NOT ADVISED ACROSS THE WARNED AREAS THROUGH MID AFTERNOON.
 
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY.  THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO
CROSS SAFELY.  VEHICLES CAUGHT IN RISING WATER SHOULD BE
ABANDONED QUICKLY.  MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
 
COLE

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Corpus Christi, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Oct 9, 9:35 AM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 9, 9:35 AM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before

COASTAL BEND FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
930 AM CDT THU OCT 9 1997

DANGEROUS FLOODING EVENT SHAPING UP ACROSS THE COASTAL BEND.  IR LOOP
SHOWS A CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT OF SH/TSRA ALG THE COAST IN VCNTY OF
INVERTED TROF...WITH MOISTURE FEED EXTENDING WELL OFFSHORE.  OVER
2.00 INCHES OF RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN IN VCT AND CRP THIS AM.  SRN
LIVE OAK COUNTY PICKED UP 10 INCHES LAST 2 DAYS.  SEVERAL FFW'S ARE
IN EFFECT ATTM.

ATMOS IS VERY MOIST WITH PWS NR 2.40 INCHES AND THE KCRP 88D IS
RUNNING TPCL Z/R RELATIONSHIP.  A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR
ALL COUNTIES EXCEPT WEBB DUVAL MCMULLEN AND LASALLE THROUGH TNGT.
THE WATCH WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THRU THE WEEKEND UNTIL THE FRONT
MOVES THROUGH MONDAY.

WILL ADJUST POPS UPWARD AND REWORD COASTAL BEND ZONES SH/TSRA LIKELY
WITH HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING POSSIBLE.  CHC OF POPS 100%.  HIGHS
TEMPS LOWER 80S.  NE-E WINDS NR 10 MPH.  NO CHANGES FOR LRD.

MARINE DATA...5-7 FOOT SEAS NR SHORE AND VERY ROUGH...4-6 FOOT SEAS
20 MILES OFFSHORE.  E WINDS 15-20 MPH.

JM...075

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Oct 9, 6:54 AM CDT, 4 hours 49 minutes before

TXZ231>234-241>247-512-091800-

COASTAL BEND HEAVY RAINFALL OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
655 AM CDT THU OCT 9 1997

...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT...

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE TODAY FOR THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF
PORTIONS OF THE COASTAL BEND.  RAINFALL TOTALS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THE GREATEST THREAT OF HEAVY RAIN BEING BE EAST OF
A THREE RIVERS TO GEORGE WEST TO ALICE TO PREMONT LINE.

UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL COMBINE WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF TROPICAL
MOISTURE AND DAYTIME HEATING TO PRODUCE SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS SOME PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL.  THE THREAT FOR
HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY ACROSS THE REGION.

THE HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF
ROADWAYS AS WELL AS CREEKS...STREAMS AND RIVERS.

MOTORISTS TRAVELING IN SOUTH TEXAS TODAY SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION.  DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO WATER THAT COVERS A ROADWAY.
THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY.
PERSONS ALONG OR NEAR CREEKS AND LOW-LYING AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING
SHOULD BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND QUICKLY IF FLOODING IS
OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR THE LATEST WEATHER
INFORMATION.

LENZ

Special weather statement, Oct 9, 6:55 AM CDT, 4 hours 48 minutes before

TXZ231>234-241>247-512-091800-

COASTAL BEND HEAVY RAINFALL OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
655 AM CDT THU OCT 9 1997

...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT...

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE TODAY FOR THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF
PORTIONS OF THE COASTAL BEND.  RAINFALL TOTALS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THE GREATEST THREAT OF HEAVY RAIN BEING BE EAST OF
A THREE RIVERS TO GEORGE WEST TO ALICE TO PREMONT LINE.

UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCES WILL COMBINE WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF TROPICAL
MOISTURE AND DAYTIME HEATING TO PRODUCE SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS SOME PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL.  THE THREAT FOR
HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY ACROSS THE REGION.

THE HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE LOCALIZED FLOODING OF
ROADWAYS AS WELL AS CREEKS...STREAMS AND RIVERS.

MOTORISTS TRAVELING IN SOUTH TEXAS TODAY SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION.  DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO WATER THAT COVERS A ROADWAY.
THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY.
PERSONS ALONG OR NEAR CREEKS AND LOW-LYING AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING
SHOULD BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND QUICKLY IF FLOODING IS
OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR THE LATEST WEATHER
INFORMATION.

LENZ

Local storm report, Oct 9, 10:27 AM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1025 AM CDT THU OCT 9 1997

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0940 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT NUMEROUS
                                          ROADS FLOODED.  3 FEET OF
                                          WATER AT STAPLES/HOLLY.

0940 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT ALL
                                          UNDERPASSES BELOW HWY 358
                                          FLOODED UP TO 3 FEET DEEP.
                                          PEOPLE STRANDED IN CARS.

0940 AM    SINTON                   TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   SAN PATRICIO                   SHERIFF REPORTS ALL ROADS
                                          IN AND AROUND SINTON
                                          FLOODED.

1000 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT 3 FEET OF
                                          WATER WITH CARS STRANDED
                                          AT PARKDALE PLAZA.

1005 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         NWS EMPLOYEE REPORTED 5
                                          INCHES OF RAIN IN 3 HOURS
                                          AND 3-4 FOOT OF WATER ON
                                          RODD FIELD RD AT WILLIAMS.

1010 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                        POLICE REPORT REPORTED
                                          AIRLINE RD CLOSED BETWEEN
                                          HOLLY AND WILLIAMS

1020 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                        SHERIFF REPORTED HIGHWAY 181
                                          CLOSED BETWEEN CORPUS
                                          CHRISTI AND PORTLAND DUE
                                          TO COASTAL FLOODING.

1020 AM    PORTLAND                  TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   SAN PATRICIO                   ACCESS ROADS FLOODED
                                          NEAR BUDDY GANEM

METZ

Local storm report, Oct 9, 10:29 AM CDT, 1 hour 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1025 AM CDT THU OCT 9 1997

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0940 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT NUMEROUS
                                          ROADS FLOODED.  3 FEET OF
                                          WATER AT STAPLES/HOLLY.

0940 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT ALL
                                          UNDERPASSES BELOW HWY 358
                                          FLOODED UP TO 3 FEET DEEP.
                                          PEOPLE STRANDED IN CARS.

0940 AM    SINTON                   TX    FLOODING
10/09/97   SAN PATRICIO                   SHERIFF REPORTS ALL ROADS
                                          IN AND AROUND SINTON
                                          FLOODED.

1000 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT 3 FEET OF
                                          WATER WITH CARS STRANDED
                                          AT PARKDALE PLAZA.

1005 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         NWS EMPLOYEE REPORTED 5
                                          INCHES OF RAIN IN 3 HOURS
                                          AND 3-4 FOOT OF WATER ON
                                          RODD FIELD RD AT WILLIAMS.

1010 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         POLICE REPORT REPORTED
                                          AIRLINE RD CLOSED BETWEEN
                                          HOLLY AND WILLIAMS

1020 AM    CORPUS CHRISTI            TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   NUECES                         SHERIFF REPORTED HIGHWAY
                                          181 CLOSED BETWEEN CORPUS
                                          CHRISTI AND PORTLAND DUE
                                          TO COASTAL FLOODING.

1020 AM    PORTLAND                  TX   FLOODING
10/09/97   SAN PATRICIO                   ACCESS ROADS FLOODED
                                          NEAR BUDDY GANEM

METZ

The office that day

Everything else NWS Corpus Christi, TX issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Oct 9, 7:47 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	CRP	Nueces, San Patricio	118 min
Oct 9, 8:56 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	CRP	Nueces, San Patricio	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Texas, 1997 Every flash flood warning in 1997

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.