Flooding in Texas, November 12 to 30, 1998

Major flooding visited southeast Texas yet again in November. On November 12th upper level moisture from the Pacific Ocean interacting with low level moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and an approaching upper level storm system from the west produced widespread heavy rainfall over the region during the afternoon and evening hours. Rainfall amounts across the area averaged 5 to 7 inches with large areas receiving 7 to 9 inches and isolated amounts in excess of 10 inches of rain. The underlying soil moisture was still very high from the heavy rains in October so considerable runoff was produced. Significant rises occurred on most rivers and streams within the Houston/Galveston HSA beginning during the late night and early morning hours of November 12th and 13th. As in October, significant rises were observed on several rivers and streams within the HSA. Four to six inches of rain over the Trinity River basin produced rapid rises during the early morning hours of November 13th. Moderate lowland flooding occurred on the Trinity River main stem for several days. Long King Creek in Livingston experienced major flooding with water levels in excess of 30 feet, flooding begins at 19 feet. Moderate flooding also occurred on Menard Creek near Rye as well as Bedias Creek near Madisonville. Flooding on these tributaries lasted for a few days. Residents of several subdivisions along the Trinity River above Liberty were advised to evacuate. Major flooding began on Cypress Creek during the evening hours of November 12th with significant rise observed on the West and East Forks of the San Jacinto River, Spring Creek, Caney Creek, and Luce Bayou during the morning hours of November 13th. Flooding continued for several days. Over 200 homes were flooded along Cypress and Spring Creeks and the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. Numerous roads in Montgomery and Harris County were inundated and closed during this event. Along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River the community of Plum Grove in Liberty County was severely impacted with several homes flooded and two major roads into the community closed for more than 24 hours. The community of Patton Village in Montgomery County also experienced major flooding. Significant flooding also occurred below Lake Houston in the communities of Magnolia Gardens, Banana Bend, Highland Shores.During the early morning hours of November 14th 3 to 5 inches of rain over Clear Creek, along the Harris/Galveston County line produced a rapid rise. Moderate flooding occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of November 14th. The creek was within banks by the morning of November 15th. Several homes in Friendswood were flooded.Moderate lowland flooding occurred on the Lower Brazos River below Rosharon to Below West Columbia. Significant backwater flooding was observed on Varner Creek in Brazoria County. No homes were flooded but several minor roads were inundated. Moderate flooding was also observed on East and Middle Yegua Creeks with minor lowland flooding on the Navasota River near Normangee. Significant flooding occurred on Mill Creek in Austin County with several roads inundated and closed.Major lowland flooding occurred once again on the San Bernard River above Highway 60 near Wallis to below Sweeny. No homes were flooded, but several major roads were closed. Evacuation of the El Lobo Subdivision in Wharton County was recommended. Barge traffic to the Phillips Petroleum facility near Sweeny was halted for several days. In Fort Bend County FM 2919 near the Tierra Grande subdivision had water to the bottom of the bridge. Minor flooding also occurred on Chocolate Bayou near Alvin, on the Tres Palacios River in Matagorda County, on East Mustang Creek in Wharton County.Significant rises were also observed on the Brazos River in the channel above Bryan to below Richmond and on the Colorado River above Columbus to below Bay City. However, flood stages were not exceeded and only minor inundation of low areas along these rivers was reported.Fortunately no deaths were reported in this flood event, however it was the second major flood event on many of these watersheds in less than one month.