Flash Flood in Texas, April 4, 1997

An upper level low pressure system was stationary over Baja California from the 2nd through the 3rd then moved across Texas on the 4th. Upper level moisture was drawn into the area from the Pacific while low level southerly flow increased moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Widespread showers and thunderstorms formed across northern Texas ahead of the approaching system. Strong thunderstorms repeatedly moved over the same areas and locally heavy rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour fell on already saturated soils for much of the morning. Widespread flash flooding resulted across the central and eastern portions. A Pacific cold front accompanied the upper system into the western portions of the area during the early afternoon. Cooler and drier air aloft associated with the disturbance resulted in a gradual destabilization of the atmosphere and the heavy rain event quickly transitioned into a severe weather outbreak as thunderstorms erupted along the front. These scattered severe storms moved eastward and produced hail larger than baseball size, winds up to 70 mph, and a tornado.Heavy rain resulted in street flooding in and around Groesbeck.