Flash Flooding and Flooding in Texas, July 1 to 10, 2010

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

Reported storm total rainfall measurements across Terry County included: 13.50 inches west of Needmore, 9.20 inches southeast of Brownfield, and 7.83 inches in Brownfield.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Anton measured a storm total rainfall amount of 4.05 inches, while the Levelland site measured 2.55 inches. Local newspapers, however, reported higher unofficial measurements. Approximate rainfall totals across the county reported by media sources include: 6.75 inches at Ropesville, 5.00 inches at Arnett, and 4.50 inches at Sundown.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

Heavy rainfall contributed to the collapse of a Lubbock business at approximately 22:30 CST on the 4th. Rain water collected atop the Starbuck's Cafe, a flat roofed structure, at the intersection of 82nd Street and Quaker Avenue. The entire roof of the structure collapsed under the weight of the water. The quick actions of a store manager led to the evacuation of a dozen employees and patrons seconds before the roof collapsed. Thus no injuries were reported. The building was deemed a total loss and was condemned and destroyed.

Reported storm total rainfall measurements across Lubbock County included: 9.25 inches at Wolfforth, 7.88 at Lubbock's Science Spectrum, 6.12 inches at Lubbock's Preston Smith International Airport, 5.15 inches at Texas Tech University, and 4.93 inches at Reese Center.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

Storm total rainfall amounts measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet and by National Weather Service cooperative observers included: 14.20 inches at Draw, 10.24 inches at O'Donnell, and 7.78 inches at Tahoka.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

Although no heavy rains were occurring at the time, wet pavement from earlier heavy rains contributed to the hydroplaning of a vehicle on U.S. Highway 84 near Post around 23:30 CST. The vehicle reportedly came to rest 60 feet off of the highway in a canyon area along the Caprock escarpment. No significant injuries were reported.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet measured storm rainfall totals that included: 9.78 inches at Post, 9.08 inches at Graham, and 5.88 inches at Lake Alan Henry. Local newspapers reported unofficial amounts between 10.00 and 12.00 inches in western Garza County.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet sites near Ralls and White River Lake recorded storm total rainfall amounts of 6.74 inches and 6.10 inches respectively.

Four-day storm total rainfall amounts measured by the Crosbyton National Weather Service cooperative observer shattered records for Crosbyton per reports from the Crosby County Reporter-Examiner. The official observer measured 9.43 inches, which exceeded the local record for total July rainfall of 8.40 inches set in 1900.

Local agricultural officials reported that the rains resulted in no adverse impacts for Crosby County crops. As a result of the heavy rain and subsequent run-off, however, White River Lake experienced a rise of nine feet which crested on the 12th.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Floydada measured a storm total rainfall amount of 4.63 inches.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Turkey measured 4.07 inches of rainfall throughout the event. Local newspaper articles reported approximated unofficial totals across the county that measured between 3.00 and 8.00 inches.

Standing water was observed in a number of low-lying areas, including within crop lands and across several unpaved rural roadways which sustained minor damages. Otherwise, no significant flash flooding or flooding was reported.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms initially began to produce rainfall around midday on the 1st. This activity gradually evolved toward heavy tropical downpours, especially during the evening hours of the 3rd through the morning hours of the 4th.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Jayton recorded a storm total rainfall of 6.30 inches. No significant flooding or flash flooding was reported.

Prolonged and heavy rainfall began to result in flash flooding over portions of Terry County during the late evening of the 3rd.

Local emergency management officials initially reported that all roads leading to The Draw area in Brownfield were inundated with high running water by 20:41 CST. Also, at that time, two RV-campers were threatened by rapidly rising water in the Brownfield City Park. In addition, Webb Street also became inundated by flowing flood water east of town. Local authorities also reported that playa lakes in the Brownfield vicinity began to exceed capacity by 21:00 CST.

At 21:55 CST, first responders rescued a motorist as their vehicle was being washed away on U.S. Highway 62 southwest of Brownfield. Unspecified reports of a family rescued from raging flood waters additionally was received at that time, possibly along Texas Highway 137 southeast of Brownfield.

Between 22:45 CST and 22:50 CST several reports of stranded motorists were received across southern and eastern Terry County, including along Farm to Market Road 2196 between Brownfield and Ropesville. Several of these motorists were reportedly taking refuge atop their vehicles. Damages to county roads and rural highways from flowing water was reported to be significant, totaling at least $300,000 in repair costs.

During the early morning hours of the 4th, additional heavy rainfall with Doppler radar estimated amounts approaching 14 inches, fell over the confluence of Sulphur and Lost Draws approximately five miles northwest of Brownfield. This water ran downstream and resulted in significant flash flooding in Brownfield during the hours around sunrise. Flood waters flowing through Brownfield during the early morning hours of Independence Day resulted in at least three flooded vehicles, damaged two homes, and caused at least $10,000 in damages to city streets.

Despite the number of high water rescues and widespread damages, no significant injuries were reported. Total infrastructure and agricultural losses from the Fourth of July flash floods and floods across Terry County, however, were estimated at $750,000. For the purposes of this report, these damages were differientiated between flash flood and flood as $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.

Heavy rainfall over portions of southern Hockley County, particularly during the evening hours of the 3rd and the very early morning hours of the 4th, resulted in flooding of many low-lying areas. Local officials reported that several unpaved rural roads retained upwards of a foot of water over their driving surfaces through the 6th. Also, flood waters additionally inundated a number of cotton crops. Local farmers, however, estimated that crop damages across the county were light.

Excessively heavy rainfall, with rates exceeding 4.00 inches per hour, began to fall over the Lubbock metro area during the late evening hours of the 3rd. The onset of flash flooding initially occurred within the city as playa lakes filled to capacity and water rose rapidly in surrounding city streets and adjacent neighborhoods.

Initial reports indicated that high water entered homes near 33rd Street and Toledo around 22:33 CST. Meanwhile, water nearly two feet deep was reportedly running through many city streets near swollen playas. Numerous reports were received of flood waters inundating homes and stalling vehicles through 00:25 CST on the 4th. Some of the hardest impacted areas included portions of Quaker Avenue and Avenue Q between 48th and 22nd Streets, along with 92nd Street west of Slide. Water reportedly rose quickly to waist-high depths in many of these areas, and covered expansive areas up to a mile in length. At 00:14 CST, a van was washed off of the South Loop 289 service road near Quaker Avenue and the occupants of the vehicle were rescued. The Lubbock County Emergency Manager and local media sources reported that a total of 92 high water rescues of stranded motorists were conducted.

By 00:18 CST, flash flooding of urban streets had resulted in high water rescues in Ransom Canyon. More significant flash flooding, however, impacted the Buffalo Springs Lake and Ransom Canyon areas of Lubbock County during the hours around sunrise. A flood wave, which originated from rainfall, run-off, and playa spillage in Lubbock, propagated down the North Fork of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. The flood wave caused Buffalo Springs Lake to rapidly swell more than eight inches in a fifteen minute period around 05:40 CST, and then spill over its dam into Ransom Canyon. The lake, which is closely regulated at a near-constant level, rose more than two and a half feet during the flash flood. Local authorities had sufficient warning in advance of the flash flood to warn some 250 holiday weekend campers to evacuate from the lake's shores. The last campers to be contacted were notified just as their air mattresses began to float in rising waters. In addition, up to eight local home owners were given enough warning to relocate furniture and property to higher ground before their homes were eventually damaged by high water.

In all, Lubbock County officials estimated that more than 300 homes and businesses sustained damages in the Fourth of July flash floods and floods. It is likely that more than 100 vehicles became stranded or otherwise damaged in the flood waters across the county. Although no serious injuries were reported, total economic losses were estimated at nearly $8.6 million by the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For the purposes of this report, these losses were differentiated by heavy rainfall, flash flood, and flood at $250,000, $4.5 million, and $3.8 million respectively.

Local law enforcement officials initially reported flash flooding along U.S. Highway 82 between Lorenzo and Ralls, where several cars were reportedly stalled in flowing flood waters and high-water rescues were underway. Portions of that highway remained impassable through at least 02:35 CST. Additional motorists were stranded in flowing flood waters along Texas Highway 207 near Ralls.

Flash flooding in Blanco Canyon resulted in dramatic run-off and swelling of the White River. This run-off and associated river rises caused unusually high water flows at Silver Falls along the Caprock escarpment near U.S. Highway 82 east of Crosbyton, which persisted well into the daylight hours of the 4th.

No injuries were reported.

Portions of eastern Lynn County were impacted by a convective band during the early morning hours of the 4th. This feature subjected the area between O'Donnell and Draw to the heaviest rainfall rates observed on the west Texas South Plains during the passage of Hurricane Alex's remnants.

Initial reports of flash flooding were received by the Texas Department of Transportation shortly before 02:00 CST. High water was reportedly flowing over U.S. Highway 87 north of Tahoka. Through the remainder of the pre-dawn hours, other segments of U.S. Highway 87 became inundated by high water southward between Tahoka and O'Donnell, as well as U.S. Highway 380 east of Tahoka. Reports of stranded motorists along these routes were minimal, however, likely due to the fast actions of local officials to close these major thoroughfairs.

The most significant flash flooding occurred in the hours around sunrise over the eastern portions of the county, roughly between the community of Draw and the intersection of U.S. Highway 380 and Farm to Market Road 1054. An earthen dam failed at Stuart Lake in eastern Lynn County. The surrounding landscape suffered extreme erosion and damages as the 60 acre lake emptied completely. A family was rescued from their nearby ranch home as flash flooding propagated downstream. The residence was deemed a complete loss. In addition, by 09:00 CST a 700 foot section of Farm to Market Road 1054 was reportedly washed away. The destruction of Stuart Lake - which is privately owned - was estimated to result in nearly $2 million dollars in damages.

In all, total economic losses across Lynn County were estimated near $5 million. For the purposes of this report, these damages were differentiated by flash flood and flood as $2.5 million each.

No significant injuries were reported.

Excessive rainfall resulted in street and urban flooding in Floydada. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office reported that many city streets were inundated with high water at 02:42 CST. By sunrise several businesses were threatened by high water. The flooding persisted through much of the morning hours. No serious damage or injuries were reported.

The Garza County Sheriff's Office initially reported impacts from flash flooding shortly after 05:00 CST. At 05:03 CST, high water reportedly began to threaten a home in Southland and water was beginning to rapidly flow through many Post city streets. By 05:53 CST, reports indicated that a playa lake at the Post city pool had flooded and was overflowing with rapidly flowing water spilling over U.S. Highway 84 at a depth that was over the guard rails. By 06:02 CST, emergency officials reported widespread flooding of structures in Post, and that sewer was backing up into many homes and businesses. A door-to-door search was conducted to remove residents from flooded structures. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal interviewed a woman who's car stalled in flood waters on her way to work. The woman then managed to walk to her place of business, a Post nursing home, where ankle-deep water filled the facility.

The failure of the Lake Stuart dam in eastern Lynn County resulted in a flood wave that travelled down the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. Flash flooding along the river washed out a number of county roads in southwestern Garza County.|Farther downstream, flash flooding along the Double Mountain Fork upstream of Lake Alan Henry washed away support beams for two small oil lines. As a result, 165 barrels of crude oil spilled into the river and threatened Lake Alan Henry.

Despite these significant public impacts, no serious injuries were reported. State and county officials estimated the total economic loss in the county at $1.7 million. For the purposes of this report, these damages are differientiated here by flash flood and flood at $1.5 million and $200,000 respectively.

The flash floods which occurred in Terry County during the late evening hours of the 3rd and the early morning hours of the 4th transitioned toward standing flood waters during the morning hours on Independence Day.

County agricultural and transportation officials, along with local media, reported that upwards of a foot of standing water remained over numerous rural and secondary roadways for days after the rainfall had subsided. Flood waters submerged local cotton crops until finally receeding on the 10th. Although damage to cotton crops was significant, local producers stated that most of the damage was not catastrophic and that productive crops remained possible.

Total infrastructure and agricultural losses from the Fourth of July flash floods and floods across Terry County were estimated at $750,000. For the purposes of this report, these damages were differientiated between flash flood and flood as $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.

Following the excessive rains and flash floods which occurred late on the 3rd and early on the 4th, residual flooding persisted in low lying areas of southern Lubbock County through much of the 6th. The most prolific flooding occurred near playa lakes.

A number of Lubbock roadways remained closed due to lingering flooding, including: 73rd and Wayne, 74th and Memphis Avenue, Elgin and Flint Avenues south of Loop 289, Canyon Avenue and 70th Street near Trinity Church, North Quaker and Ursuline Streets, Erskine Street and Milwaukee Avenue, East 19th and Guava Avenue, the Broadway Street entrance to Mackenzie Park, Avenue W at 61st and 63rd Streets and University Avenue, 114th Street between Quaker Avenue and Indiana Avenue, and Quaker Avenue between 24th and 27th Streets. Flood waters slowly receeded in and around homes and businesses in these locations through the 6th.

In addition, prolonged standing flood waters caused extensive damages to cotton crops across the southern half of Lubbock County. Local agricultural officials declared that these damages totalled $2.8 million.

In all, Lubbock County officials estimated that more than 300 homes and businesses sustained damages in the Fourth of July flash floods and floods. It is likely that more than 100 vehicles became stranded or otherwise damaged in the flood waters across the county. Although no serious injuries were reported, total economic losses were estimated at nearly $8.6 million by the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For the purposes of this report, these losses were differentiated by heavy rainfall, flash flood, and flood at $250,000, $4.5 million, and $3.8 million respectively.

Flowing flood waters receded toward standing floods during the late morning hours of the 4th. A number of low lying roadways and cotton crops around playa lakes remained flooded through the 10th. Prolonged closures of many rural roadways and U.S. Highways 87 and 380 were reported. Local agricultural officials estimated that upwards of 100,000 acres of cotton were destroyed in the floods.

In all, total economic losses across Lynn County were estimated near $5 million. For the purposes of this report, these damages were differentiated by flash flood and flood as $2.5 million each.

Flash flooding which occurred early on the 4th subsided toward standing flood waters near swollen playa lakes and the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River by the mid afternoon hours. This flooding persisted and resulted in the continued closure of many rural county roads and portions of U.S. Highway 380 in western Garza County before finally subsiding on the 10th. Local agricultural officials reported that upwards of 5,000 acres were flooded, but they estimated that only 250 acres were destroyed.

State and county officials estimated the total economic loss in the county at $1.7 million. For the purposes of this report, these damages are differientiated here by flash flood and flood at $1.5 million and $200,000 respectively.