Alert archive / Texas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued this flash flood warning at May 20, 2026, 9:26 AM CDT for Brazoria County, Matagorda County, Texas. It was in force for 109 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- May 20, 2026, 9:26 AM CDT (14:26 UTC)
- Expired
- May 20, 2026, 11:15 AM CDT
- In force
- 109 min
- Issued by
- NWS Houston/Galveston, TX
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Brazoria County, TX, Matagorda County, TX
The radar
The Houston radar (KHGX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:26 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Brownsville Intl, TX (KBRO), launched 12:00Z, 2.4 hours before the alert went out and 392 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 3116 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 570 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 25 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 66 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 94 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.7
- Supercell composite
- 4.1
The text
As transmitted.
129
WGUS54 KHGX 201426
FFWHGX
TXC039-321-201615-
/O.NEW.KHGX.FF.W.0002.260520T1426Z-260520T1615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
926 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
The National Weather Service in League City has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern Brazoria County in southeastern Texas...
East Central Matagorda County in southeastern Texas...
* Until 1115 AM CDT.
* At 926 AM CDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
4 and 8 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is
1 to 1.5 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2
inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing
or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Lake Jackson, southern Angleton, Freeport, Clute, Surfside Beach,
Richwood, Brazoria, Jones Creek, Oyster Creek and Sargent.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 2912 9551 2915 9537 2913 9522 2905 9514
2893 9530 2885 9546 2876 9565 2881 9568
2890 9568 2900 9565
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-1.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
KLG1 follow-up statement
004
WGUS74 KHGX 201612
FFSHGX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1112 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
TXC039-321-201622-
/O.EXP.KHGX.FF.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260520T1615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brazoria TX-Matagorda TX-
1112 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1115 AM CDT THIS MORNING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BRAZORIA AND EAST CENTRAL MATAGORDA COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 2912 9551 2915 9537 2913 9522 2905 9514
2893 9530 2885 9546 2876 9565 2881 9568
2890 9568 2900 9565
$$
KLGWhat 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 Houston/Galveston, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 20, 6:31 AM CDT, 2 hours 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected this week. Some may be strong at times. Locally heavy rainfall also possible.
- Risk of flooding/flash flooding will need to be monitored, moreso later this week/weekend as rain totals begin adding up and the ground becomes more saturated.
- Mariners should be prepared for the multiple rounds of storms. Winds and seas will be higher in and near storms.
Area forecast discussion, May 20, 6:31 AM CDT, 2 hours 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
631 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected this week. Some may
be strong at times. Locally heavy rainfall also possible.
- Risk of flooding/flash flooding will need to be monitored, moreso
later this week/weekend as rain totals begin adding up and the
ground becomes more saturated.
- Mariners should be prepared for the multiple rounds of storms.
Winds and seas will be higher in and near storms.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 136 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
First round of storms, one of many to come, is in the process of
working its way through the region. Main impact from these were
30-50mph gusts and some localized heavy downpours. Totals have
mainly been under an inch, but there's a few spots that've seen
1-4". Expect rainfall to taper off in the morning hours, and we'll
likely be stabilized for a good while afterwards so have trimmed
POPs back for the remainder of the day.
We will remain in an unsettled wx pattern for several days
ahead...characterized by persistent western troffiness and us
being positioned within a very messy southwesterly flow aloft in
advance. With deep Gulf moisture in place (PW's 1.7-2.1"), chances
of diurnally driven precip will be in place at a minimum. But
stronger impulses embedded in the flow aloft will likely trigger
more organized storm complexes at times, along with the potential
for some stronger storms & heavier rain rates...which can occur
during the nighttime hours as well. Unfortunately in this type of
pattern, the problem is actually identifying these disturbances
when they're beyond 12-24 hours out, then adjusting for periods of
stabilization afterwards.
Right now, we're eyeballing the next next stronger impulse and
associated widespread precip making its way in from the west
toward Thursday morning. Each round will probably bring somewhere
in the order of 0.5-3.0" rainfall to the area. In the short term,
we should be able to handle another round or maybe two without too
many flood issues, other than the typical localized variety. But
as days wear on, the precip totals begin adding up, and the ground
becomes increasingly saturated...we'll have be be cognizant of
the potential for increasing flood/flash flood impacts in the days
ahead. Guidance remains wet thru the holiday weekend into early
next week as the western mid-upper trof moves into Texas...and
possibly another trof dropping into about the same area later next
week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 600 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
Showers and thunderstorms are ongoing this morning, and continue
to move east/southeast across the CWA. Based on the most recent
model guidance, storms are expected to move southeast and exit the
region by about 16Z. All sites prevail at VFR, with the main
concern being the showers and thunderstorms ongoing this morning.
Early this afternoon, CIGs are forecast to lower to MVFR for a
brief period, before returning to VFR mid-afternoon. Winds will
be about 5-10 KTs and variable today as the storms move through,
eventually becoming southeasterly this afternoon. Near the end of
this TAF period, another round of showers is expected to move in
from west to east, although timing and the associated CIGs are
uncertain. CIGs should lower, though it is uncertain whether they
will lower enough to transition from VFR to MVFR. We will monitor
trends in case amendments are needed.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 136 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
Showers and thunderstorms are in the process of pushing off the
coast. Some 30 to 40 knot gusts are anticipated along the leading
band of storms as they pass southward. Winds could be chaotic in
terms of speed and direction through mid to late morning
Wednesday with a localized tight pressure gradient in the vicinity
of a MCV. We could see somewhat of a lull in speeds at times in
the coming hours, but quickly increase again for 4 to 8 hours
Wednesday morning. Have broadbrushed a SCA for all waters to take
these factors into account. Otherwise, an unsettled weather
pattern will persist into the weekend...with additional rounds of
storms likely. Unfortunately, each individual complex will be
difficult to time beyond 12 to 24 hours. During breaks in between
systems, look for light to moderate onshore winds and 3-5 foot
seas. 47
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 305 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026
Multiple rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected this
evening through Monday. The first round will start tonight bringing
1-3" with isolated higher amounts of 5-7+". With PW values exceeding
the 90th percentile (~1.7-2.1"), rainfall rates of 2-4"/hr are
possible in the heaviest downpours. Anywhere we see these intense
rainfall rates, localized flash flooding is possible. That being
said, we are not anticipating widespread river flooding just yet;
however, this will help prime the soils as we continue with a wet
pattern.
As the week progresses, multiple rounds of moderate to heavy
rainfall on top of primed soils will generate runoff and cause rises
on area rivers and watersheds. The greatest threat for heavy
rainfall, flash and riverine flooding comes this holiday weekend as
intense rainfall rates will bring accumulated values of 4-6+" across
most of southeast Texas Saturday into Monday.
Widespread action to minor stage flooding is expected with moderate
to isolated major stage flooding possible depending on where the
most rainfall accumulates. Remember that you can monitor updated
river forecasts via the NWS NWPS webpage (https://water.noaa.gov/).
Landry-Guyton
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL) 83 70 79 70 / 30 50 90 60
Houston (IAH) 83 73 82 73 / 30 40 80 50
Galveston (GLS) 84 78 84 79 / 40 30 60 60
&&
.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...High Rip Current Risk through this evening for TXZ436>439.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM CDT this morning for GMZ330-350-
355-370-375.
&&
DISCUSSION...47
AVIATION...MLG
MARINE...47In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 20, 3:32 AM CDT, 5 hours 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
332 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
TXZ336-337-436-437-200900-
Coastal Matagorda TX-Matagorda Islands TX-Brazoria Islands TX-
Coastal Brazoria TX-
332 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL BRAZORIA AND EAST
CENTRAL MATAGORDA COUNTIES THROUGH 400 AM CDT...
At 332 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Jones Creek, or 10 miles southwest of Freeport,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Southeastern Lake Jackson, Freeport, Clute, Jones Creek, and Oyster
Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2874 9557 2895 9566 2904 9535 2881 9526
TIME...MOT...LOC 0832Z 253DEG 20KT 2888 9553
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SelfSpecial weather statement, May 20, 3:58 AM CDT, 5 hours 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
358 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
TXZ337-437-200930-
Brazoria Islands TX-Coastal Brazoria TX-
358 AM CDT Wed May 20 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BRAZORIA COUNTY
THROUGH 430 AM CDT...
At 358 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Freeport, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Southeastern Lake Jackson, Freeport, Clute, Surfside Beach, Jones
Creek, and Oyster Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2899 9553 2908 9516 2888 9512 2881 9521
2880 9549
TIME...MOT...LOC 0858Z 260DEG 19KT 2891 9543
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SelfThe office that day
Everything else NWS Houston/Galveston, TX issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 7:46 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Polk, San Jacinto | 44 min |
| May 19, 8:32 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker | 43 min |
| May 19, 8:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HGX | Grimes, Harris, Montgomery, Waller | 26 min |
| May 19, 9:14 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Liberty, Montgomery | 46 min |
| May 19, 9:50 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | HGX | 85 min | |
| May 19, 10:17 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston | 73 min |
| May 19, 10:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HGX | Burleson | 54 min |
| May 19, 10:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HGX | Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Washington | 55 min |
| May 19, 11:09 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | HGX | 2 hr | |
| May 19, 11:18 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Brazos, Burleson | 57 min |
| May 19, 11:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | HGX | Austin, Colorado, Waller, Washington, Wharton | 48 min |
| May 19, 11:42 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Washington | 48 min |
| May 19, 11:56 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Brazoria, Jackson, Matagorda, Wharton | 64 min |
| May 20, 12:11 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Brazos, Grimes | 64 min |
| May 20, 12:17 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Austin, Colorado | 58 min |
| May 20, 12:25 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Waller | 65 min |
| May 20, 12:27 AM CDT | Small Craft Advisory | HGX | 11 hr | |
| May 20, 12:47 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | HGX | 118 min | |
| May 20, 1:00 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Fort Bend, Harris | 60 min |
| May 20, 1:08 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Jackson, Matagorda, Wharton | 67 min |
| May 20, 1:13 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HGX | Austin, Washington | 2 hr |
| May 20, 3:32 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Brazoria | 28 min |
| May 20, 3:58 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | HGX | Brazoria | 32 min |
| May 20, 4:02 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | HGX | 43 min | |
| May 20, 4:42 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HGX | Brazoria | 5 hr |
| May 20, 6:33 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HGX | Brazoria, Galveston | 4 hr |
| May 20, 6:59 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | HGX | 91 min | |
| May 20, 7:24 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HGX | Brazoria, Galveston, Harris | 3 hr |
| May 20, 8:10 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HGX | Brazoria, Matagorda | 2 hr |
| May 20, 8:28 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | HGX | 62 min | |
| May 20, 8:30 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | HGX | Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, Wharton | 2 hr |
| May 20, 12:41 PM CDT | Flood Watch | HGX | Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston and 13 more | 4 days |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Texas, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
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.