Tornado and Flash Flood in Texas, May 29, 2002

Name: Tornado and Flash Flood in Texas, May 29, 2002
Start: 2002-05-29T18:44
End: 2002-05-29T20:00
Location: Texas

May 29, 2002 · NWS BRO · 8 events in 3 counties and zones

6 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 flash flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Brownsville, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 29, 1:00 PM CST, 5 hours 44 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 29, 1:00 PM CST, 5 hours 44 minutes before

DEEP SOUTH TEXAS FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
200 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

AFTERNOON SEABREEZE/BOUNDARY HAS RETURNED WITH SHOWERS DEVELOPING IN
KENEDY COUNTY AT 12:30 PM. EXPECT SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS TO
CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ALONG THE COASTAL COUNTIES AS THE PGF HAS
WEAKENED AND MID LVL NLY FLOW HAS ALLOWED CAP TO DETERIORATE. A WEAK
DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE SOUTH OVER SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS TODAY ALONG THE
BACK SIDE OF THE MID/UPPER LOW...INCREASING NORTHERLY MID LVL FLOW AND
STEEPENING LAPSE RATES AS THE MID/UPPER LOW DROPS SOUTH INTO THE
NORTHWESTERN GULF. WIND PROFILES WILL BE SUFFICIENT FOR SOME
ORGANIZED DEEP CONVECTION OVER ALL OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON/EVENING AND AGAIN ON THURSDAY WITH ISOLATED SEVERE WEATHER
POSSIBLE. TO THE NORTH...OVER SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS...MESOSCALE
BOUNDARY INTERACTIONS CONTINUE TO BE THE FOCUS FOR CONVECTION...AND
ANY BOUNDARY THAT APPROACHES LATER THIS EVENING WILL BE THE
FOCUS FOR ADDITIONAL SHOWER/THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY...ESPECIALLY NORTH
OF A LINE FROM RAYMONDVILLE TO ZAPATA.

MODELS IN AGREEMENT WITH MOVEMENT OF MID-UPPER LOW NOW OVER
SOUTHEAST OK AND BRING IT INTO THE NORTHWESTERN GULF BY FRIDAY.
PROXIMITY OF THE UPPER LOW WILL KEEP SOME CLOUDS AND A SLIGHT CHANCE
OF PCPN ACROSS THE VALLEY THROUGH EARLY SAT...WITH THE BEST CHANCE
OF PCPN ACROSS THE EASTERN COUNTIES NEAR THE COAST...BEFORE THE
UPPER RIDGE OUT WEST BEGINS TO BUILD EASTWARD.  DAYS 6 AND 7...MRF
DRAGS A TROUGH EASTWARD OVER THE GREAT BASIN...WITH LOW PRESSURE
STRENGTHENING OVER FAR WEST TEXAS...A PERIOD OF BREEZY CONDITIONS
WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH TEMPS AT OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE CLIMATOLOGY.

MARINE...LIGHT WINDS AND LOW SEAS HAVE PREVAILED OFFSHORE TODAY. THE
ONSHORE WIND WILL CONTINUE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME DISRUPTION
TONIGHT BY A POTENTIAL LINE OF SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS. INCREASED
INSTABILITY AND RAIN CHANCES WILL PREVAIL FOR THE NEXT TWO OR THREE
DAYS...AS AN UPPER LOW DESCENDS INTO THE NORTHWEST GULF...AND UPPER
DISTURBANCES MOVE NORTH TO SOUTH AROUND THE LOW...DESTABILIZING THE
ATMOSPHERE.

PRELIMINARY NUMBERS...
BRO BB 074 091/074 088 071 20/30/20/20/20
HRL BB 074 092/072 089 070 20/30/20/20/20
MFE BB 075 096/076 092 071 20/30/20/20/20
RGC BB 074 097/073 095 069 20/30/20/20/20
SPI BB 078 085/077 084 076 20/30/20/20/20

SYNOPTIC...MCGUIRE.55
AVIATION-MARINE...MILLER.54
MESO...MARTINEZ.ABBOTT

INTERNET ADDRESS...WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/BRO

.BRO...NONE.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 29, 2:15 PM CST, 4 hours 29 minutes before

TXZ248>257-310100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
315 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR DEEP SOUTH TEXAS UNTIL 8
PM CDT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
FOR DEEP SOUTH TEXAS UNTIL 8 PM TONIGHT. THIS WATCH INCLUDES THE
FOLLOWING COUNTIES...ZAPATA...STARR...JIM
HOGG...BROOKS...HIDALGO...KENEDY...WILLACY...AND CAMERON.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL THE SIZE OF DIMES
OR LARGER...STRONG WINDS OF 58 MPH OR HIGHER AND POSSIBLY TORNADOES.

EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND STORM SPOTTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR
POSSIBLE ACTIVATION. RESIDENTS ACROSS SOUTH TEXAS SHOULD REMAIN
ALERT AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES
YOUR AREA. IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS YOUR AREA...THEN MOVE TO AN
INTERIOR ROOM AND LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR. IF CAUGHT OUTSIDE...LAY
FLAT DOWN ON THE GROUND...PREFERABLY IN A DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT.

STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS REGARDING THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER SITUATION.

MILLER

Special weather statement, May 29, 4:15 PM CST, 2 hours 29 minutes before

TXZ248>257-300200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
515 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS HEADED FOR THE NORTHERN VALLEY AND
ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS...

BY 6 PM...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL ENTER NORTHERN KENEDY COUNTY AND
THE ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS JUST NORTH OF
THIS INITIAL CONVECTION WILL SOON FOLLOW...BRINGING STRONG...GUSTY
NORTHEAST WINDS AND LARGE HAIL.

RESIDENTS OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS SHOULD BE ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SEVERE WEATHER THIS EVENING...MAINLY ALONG THE COASTAL AREAS OF
DEEP SOUTH TEXAS.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. PHILO

PHILO

Special weather statement, May 29, 6:00 PM CST, 44 minutes before

TXZ248>257-310100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
700 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR DEEP SOUTH TEXAS HAS
BEEN CANCELED.

ADDITIONAL SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE BY EARLY FRIDAY
MORNING...BUT THIS ACTIVITY SHOULD NOT BE SEVERE.

RESIDENTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE WEATHER AND THE LATEST
FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BROWNSVILLE.

PHILO

Local storm report, May 29, 6:19 PM CST, 25 minutes before

SATLSRBRO ALL
TTAA00 KBRO DDHHMM

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
719 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

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

0710 PM    LA SARA                   TX   TORNADO
05/29/02   WILLACY                        REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.

Local storm report, May 29, 6:20 PM CST, 24 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
720 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

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

0707 PM    LA SARA                   TX   .75 INCH HAIL
05/29/02   WILLACY                        REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.

Local storm report, May 29, 6:20 PM CST, 24 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
720 PM CDT WED MAY 29 2002

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

0707 PM    LA SARA                   TX   .75 INCH HAIL
05/29/02   WILLACY                        REPORTED BY LAW
                                          ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.

The radar

The Brownsville radar (KBRO), 69 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:46 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Willacy

When: May 29, 6:44 PM CST
Where: Willacy County, San Perlita
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 26.500, -97.650

A trained storm spotter estimated wind gusts between 65 and 70 mph in San Perlita

Thunderstorm Wind, Willacy

When: May 29, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Willacy County, 7 mi NE of Raymondville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 26.550, -97.700

Storm spotter estimated 70 mph wind gust lifted trampoline into the air against the house and fence blown over

Thunderstorm Wind, Hidalgo

When: May 29, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Hidalgo County, Donna
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 26.167, -98.050

Law Enforcement Officials reported several power poles and lines down

Tornado, Hidalgo

When: May 29, 6:56 PM CST
Where: Hidalgo County, Weslaco
Rating: F0
Path length: 2.5 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 26.167, -97.983

National Weather Service storm survey indicated a minimal tornado with numerous large trees downed. There was also evidence of large hail with many windows broken on houses in the Tierra Santa area. One resident reported coming home to find her apartment dark with windows and blinds broken. Many vehicles were also damaged with large hail.

Flash Flood, Hidalgo

When: May 29, 7:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Hidalgo County, Weslaco
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 26.397, -98.181 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covering the Lewis Lane exit off Highway 83

Thunderstorm Wind, Cameron

When: May 29, 7:03 PM CST
Where: Cameron County, 5 mi N of Rio Hondo
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 26.300, -97.583

Wind gusts to 60 mph were reported at Camp Perry

Thunderstorm Wind, Cameron

When: May 29, 7:37 PM CST
Where: Cameron County, Los Fresnos
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 26.067, -97.483

Los Fresnos Police Department estimated wind gusts to 60 mph

Thunderstorm Wind, Cameron

When: May 29, 7:41 PM CST
Where: Cameron County, 6 mi N of Rio Hondo
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 26.317, -97.583

Three inch diameter tree limbs reported snapped northeast of Rio Hondo

What these are

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.
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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2002 Every state in 2002 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 2002 Warnings in Texas, May 2002

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: 5299816, 5299817, 5299818, 5299819, 5299823, 5299820, 5299821, 5299822.