Tornado and Flash Flooding in Texas, June 6 to 21, 1997

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Texas, June 6 to 21, 1997
Start: 1997-06-06T17:00
End: 1997-06-21T23:40
Location: Texas

June 6 to 21, 1997 · NWS CRP · 36 events in 11 counties and zones

14 flash flood, 11 thunderstorm wind, 10 hail, 1 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 14 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $80,000
Crop damage: $100,000
Events: 36

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 179 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:15 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 flash flood, 11 thunderstorm wind, 10 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Webb

When: June 6, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Webb County, 20 mi NW of Laredo
Coordinates: 27.761, -99.332 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of 1.5 to 2 feet of water covering roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind, McMullen

When: June 6, 6:15 PM CST
Where: McMullen County, 25 mi S of Tilden
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 28.080, -98.550

Sheriff report of strong and gusty thunderstorm wind.

Hail, Live Oak

When: June 6, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Live Oak County, Three Rivers
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 28.470, -98.180

Public report of dime sized hail.

Flash Flood, Nueces

When: June 6, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Nueces County, Corpus Christi
Coordinates: 27.735, -97.516 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public report of numerous roadways flooded.

Flash Flood, Webb

When: June 15, 2:33 AM CST
Where: Webb County, 20 mi N of Laredo
Coordinates: 27.761, -99.332 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

U.S. Highway 35 closed due to high water and several stranded vehicles.

Flash Flood, La Salle

When: June 15, 2:50 AM CST
Where: La Salle County, Cotulla
Coordinates: 28.345, -99.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of flooded roadways.

Flash Flood, La Salle

When: June 15, 5:40 AM CST
Where: La Salle County, Cotulla
Coordinates: 28.345, -99.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff and border patrol report of flooded streets.

Flash Flood, Webb

When: June 15, 5:55 AM CST
Where: Webb County, 20 mi N of Laredo
Coordinates: 27.761, -99.332 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of flooded roadways.

Hail, Live Oak

When: June 17, 3:15 PM CST
Where: Live Oak County, Lagarto
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 28.120, -97.970

Sheriff report of dime sized hail near Lake Corpus Christi.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jim Wells

When: June 17, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, Orange Grove
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 27.970, -97.930

Sheriff and public report of strong thunderstorm wind.

Tornado, Nueces

When: June 17, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Nueces County, Banquete
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $80,000
Coordinates: 27.800, -97.800

Sheriff and public report of a tornado. The tornado flipped over a vehicle and caused structuraldamage to homes. One man was injured with minor facial lacerations from flying debris and glass.

Hail, Bee

When: June 17, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Bee County, Beeville
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 28.400, -97.750

Sheriff report of quarter sized hail.

Hail, Jim Wells

When: June 17, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, Orange Grove
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Coordinates: 27.970, -97.930

Sheriff and public report of tennis ball sized hail.

Hail, Goliad

When: June 17, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Goliad County, Goliad
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 28.670, -97.380

Sheriff report of dime sized hail.

Hail, Jim Wells

When: June 17, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, 5 mi NE of Orange Grove
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 28.020, -97.880

Spotter and public report of dime sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nueces

When: June 17, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Nueces County, 3 mi W of Robstown
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Crop damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 27.780, -97.720

Strong thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in extensive damage to cotton crops along with several large uprooted trees.

Flash Flood, Jim Wells

When: June 17, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, Orange Grove
Coordinates: 27.731, -98.090 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of several roadways under water due to torrential thunderstorm rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nueces

When: June 17, 6:56 PM CST
Where: Nueces County, Corpus Christi
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 27.780, -97.420

Naval Air Station (NGP) report of 52 knot thunderstorm wind gust that resulted in minor damage.

Flash Flood, Jim Wells

When: June 17, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, Orange Grove
Coordinates: 27.731, -98.090 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of continued flooding of several roadways.

Flash Flood, Jim Wells

When: June 17, 9:45 PM CST
Where: Jim Wells County, Orange Grove
Coordinates: 27.731, -98.090 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of several roadways flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Victoria

When: June 19, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Victoria County, Victoria
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 28.800, -96.980

NWS spotter report of strong thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Victoria

When: June 19, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Victoria County, 2 mi NW of Victoria
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 28.820, -97.000

Public report of strong thunderstorm wind gust resulting in minor structural damage.

Hail, Victoria

When: June 19, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Victoria County, Victoria
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 28.800, -96.980

NWS spotter report of quarter sized hail.

Hail, Victoria

When: June 19, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Victoria County, Victoria
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 28.800, -96.980

Public report of dime sized hail.

Hail, Bee

When: June 19, 3:37 PM CST
Where: Bee County, 2 mi W of Beeville
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 28.400, -97.780

Sheriff report of hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bee

When: June 19, 3:37 PM CST
Where: Bee County, 2 mi W of Beeville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 28.400, -97.780

Sheriff report of strong thunderstorm wind with numerous trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Live Oak

When: June 19, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Live Oak County, Dinero
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 28.230, -97.970

NWS spotter report of 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Live Oak

When: June 19, 5:05 PM CST to 5:30 PM CST
Where: Live Oak County, George West
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 28.330, -98.120

Numerous sheriff and public reports of 60 mph thunderstorm wind gusts with several power lines and trees downed. One shed was destroyed by the strong wind.

Hail, Webb

When: June 19, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Webb County, 10 mi SW of Aguilares
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 27.350, -99.220

Spotter report of quarter sized hail.

Flash Flood, Live Oak

When: June 19, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Live Oak County, Dinero
Coordinates: 28.351, -98.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff reports of roadways flooded.

Flash Flood, Goliad

When: June 21, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Goliad County, Goliad
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 28.657, -97.426 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A nearly stationary area of showers and thunderstorms developed across the county. At 3pm CST...numerous roadways became flooded. The resulting torrential downpours forced a nearby creek to become dangerously rapid as 5 to 6 inches of rainfall fell in approximately 3 hours. Between 4 and 5 pm CST...a 21-year old man drowned as a result after an attempt to cross the swollen creek on horseback.

Flash Flood, Victoria

When: June 21, 3:38 PM CST
Where: Victoria County, 2 mi N of Victoria
Coordinates: 28.796, -96.971 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff reports of numerous roadways closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Live Oak

When: June 21, 4:27 PM CST
Where: Live Oak County, 6 mi N of Three Rivers
Coordinates: 28.351, -98.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of flooded roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind, Duval

When: June 21, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Duval County, 12 mi E of Freer
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 27.880, -98.420

NWS spotter report of strong thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, San Patricio

When: June 21, 9:30 PM CST
Where: San Patricio County, Mathis
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 28.100, -97.830

Public report of 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust.

Flash Flood, Nueces

When: June 21, 11:40 PM CST
Where: Nueces County, 5 mi NW of Robstown
Coordinates: 27.735, -97.516 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sheriff report of roadways closed due to flooding.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Goliad	1997-06-21	21	Male	In Water	Direct

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 1997 Warnings in Texas, June 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5609034, 5609035, 5609036, 5609037, 5609038, 5609039, 5609040, 5609041, 5609042, 5609043, 5609045, 5609044, 5609148, 5608145, 5608146, 5608147, 5608148, 5608149, 5608150, 5608151, 5608152, 5608153, 5608154, 5608155, 5608156, 5608157, 5608158, 5608261, 5608262, 5608263, 5608264, 5608265, 5608266, 5608267, 5608268, 5608269.