Scattered thunderstorms developed over northeast Mexico during the afternoon of the 21st as an upper level disturbance moved across northern Mexico. An intense thunderstorm moved across the Rio Grande into the city of Laredo.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS CRP wrote it up.
Scattered thunderstorms developed over northeast Mexico during the afternoon of the 21st as an upper level disturbance moved across northern Mexico. An intense thunderstorm moved across the Rio Grande into the city of Laredo. Extensive wind damage occurred in the northern parts of Laredo from 80 to 95 mph wind gusts. Five homes were destroyed while around 50 single family and multi-family homes received major damage. Minor damage occurred to around 150 single family and multi-family homes. Major damage occurred to five businesses. Hail from golf ball to baseball size inflicted damage to roofs and cars across the city. After heavy rainfall with this storm, a second storm early in the evening produced heavy rainfall that led to flash flooding in the city.
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 Corpus Christi, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 21, 3:07 PM CST, 20 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX 407 PM CDT Sun May 21 2017 .SHORT TERM (Tonight through Monday Night)... Severe convection possible this evening mainly over the WRN CWA owing to high CAPE values/vertical shear. The ECMWF/NAM/GFS deterministic runs predict that the frontal boundary will remain quasi-stationary over the CWA/MSA through Monday. Select NAM deterministic soundings predict PWAT values 2SD above normal Monday. The deterministic runs predict weak disturbances to move across the CWA/MSA during the period. However, the GFS predicts the upper jet streak to shift north Monday with RFQ region/subsidence over the CWA. Nevertheless, the combination of copious moisture, surface forcing, and instability should contribute to additional scattered/numerous convection over the CWA/MSA Tonight/Monday. Expected thermodynamic conditions/quasi- stationary boundary favorable for heavy rainfall/efficient rainfall production Monday, especially over the ERN CWA. Yet will not issue FFA at this time given high FFG values. Will defer to mid shift to consider FFA based in part on total amount/coverage of rainfall that occurs during the next 6-12 hours. Monday Night...expect convection to be confined to the ERN CWA/MSA given predicted east shift in region of surface convergence associated with the dissipating boundary/developing surface trough. && .LONG TERM (Tuesday through Sunday)... Moisture begins to back off on Tuesday, as the main mid level low continues to lift farther northeast early in the morning with the embedded short wave overhead moving farther east. But sufficient moisture and instability remains with a weak cap to allow for scattered showers and thunderstorms to continue through Tuesday, with greatest chances across the Victoria Crossroads, Northern Coastal Bend, and the Gulf waters. A second short wave helps bring a front down late Tuesday night into Wednesday. As this front moves down, moisture once again pools along the boundary so have trended higher POPs farther south and west toward the southern Brush Country with drying beginning to develop across the north. Models continue to show much drier conditions developing by Wednesday and lingering through much of the week. There is not much in the way of cooler temperatures, other than daytime highs briefly reaching in the mid 80s for Wednesday, and overnight lows dropping into the mid to upper 60s Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Moisture slowly returns late in the week. Long term models currently vary on amount of moisture return so for now, will maintain at least 10 POPs for Saturday/Sunday as this remains far out in time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Corpus Christi 75 84 72 87 67 / 50 70 40 30 20 Victoria 72 82 68 85 62 / 60 80 50 40 20 Laredo 72 86 71 91 68 / 70 40 20 30 40 Alice 73 85 70 90 66 / 60 70 30 30 20 Rockport 76 81 73 84 69 / 50 70 50 40 20 Cotulla 70 84 68 89 64 / 80 50 20 30 30 Kingsville 75 86 71 90 67 / 60 70 30 30 30 Navy Corpus 77 81 74 85 71 / 50 70 40 30 20 && .CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... TX...None. GM...None. && WC/87...SHORT TERM CB/85...LONG TERM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX 509 AM CDT Sun May 21 2017 GMZ230-235-250-255-270-275-TXZ229>234-239>247-221015- Bays and Waterways from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas- Bays and Waterways from Port Aransas to Port O'Connor- Coastal waters from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel out 20 NM-Waters from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel from 20 to 60 NM-La Salle-McMullen-Live Oak-Bee-Goliad-Victoria-Webb-Duval- Jim Wells-Kleberg-Nueces-San Patricio-Aransas-Refugio-Calhoun- 509 AM CDT Sun May 21 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for South Texas and the Middle Texas Coastal Waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected today and tonight across South Texas. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across the Rio Grande Plains and a marginal risk across the remainder of South Texas. Damaging wind and large hail will be the primary threat with tornadoes a lower threat. Heavy rainfall with localized minor flooding will be possible today and tonight, mainly across interior portions of South Texas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Scattered thunderstorms are expected Monday through Tuesday night. Although a few strong storms are possible on Monday, producing hail and gusty winds, the main concern will be locally heavy rainfall and possible flooding. The main concern for flooding will be over the Victoria Crossroads region and coastal counties, with flooding more isolated farther west. Non severe thunderstorms are possible on Tuesday and Tuesday evening. Small Craft Advisory conditions are possible over the Gulf of Mexico late Thursday night and Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed later today or tonight and possibly again Monday. TE/GW
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX 219 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2017 TXZ239-211945- Webb- 219 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM IS AFFECTING NORTH CENTRAL WEBB COUNTY... At 218 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 13 miles south of Gilson Groves, or 29 miles west of Encinal, moving north at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail are possible with this storm. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central Webb County. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 2820 9965 2800 9975 2802 9989 2820 9989 TIME...MOT...LOC 1918Z 197DEG 22KT 2808 9984 TJC
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
304 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2017
TXZ239-212045-
Webb-
304 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN WEBB COUNTY...
At 303 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 12 miles northwest
of Columbia Bridge, or 31 miles northwest of Laredo, moving northeast
at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Las Tiendas.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 2810 9982 2787 9954 2773 9977 2773 9979
2774 9980 2778 9982 2776 9982 2776 9984
2779 9985 2780 9988 2784 9988 2788 9991
2790 9989 2793 9993
TIME...MOT...LOC 2003Z 223DEG 18KT 2778 9992
TJCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
418 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2017
TXZ231-232-212145-
Live Oak-Bee-
418 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN LIVE OAK AND
NORTHWESTERN BEE COUNTIES...
At 418 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Esseville, or
near Campbellton, moving north at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pawnee, Nell, Whitsett and Esseville.
LAT...LON 2869 9801 2870 9795 2861 9790 2843 9829
2862 9833 2879 9810
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 179DEG 20KT 2868 9824
TJCThe Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 197 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:27 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Spotters reported street signs, brick fence posts, and power lines blown down across the northern part of Laredo.
Damage survey in connection with a severe thunderstorm revealed straight-line wind damage along a line around 5 miles in length and 1 mile in width across northwest Laredo. The damage was from west of the intersection of Interstate 69W and Mines Road to the intersection of east Del Mar Boulevard and McPherson Road. Damage was widespread through this area with numerous large tree limbs snapped, shingle damage to homes, dozens of utility poles bent or broken. The most significant damage occurred at the U.S. Customs facility near World Trade Bridge #3 and to homes in the Villas San Agustin neighborhood. At the U.S. Customs facility, several tractor trailers were overturned, and extensive damage occurred to the metal roof of this facility with several air conditioners blown off. Wind gusts were estimated to be between 80 and 95 mph. The World Trade Bridge was closed to commercial cargo traffic for nearly a week. Within the Villas San Agustin subdivision, 4 new homes that were under construction, slid off their foundations and collapsed. Debris from these properties impacted several nearby homes causing extensive damage. Numerous homes in this subdivision lost shingles. Laredo Fire Station #9, located near Interstate 69 and Mines Road, lost its metal roof. Farther southeast, in the Dominion Del Mar, Terra Hills, and Northview subdivisions, numerous large tree limbs were broken, utility poles were bent or broken and a cement wall under construction at the Laredo Fire Department was toppled.
Half dollar sized hail occurred in south central Laredo reported through social media.
Storm chaser reported golf ball sized hail on the east side of Laredo.
Storm chaser reported half dollar sized hail in southeast Laredo.
Laredo International Airport AWOS measured a gust to 51 knots.
Storm chaser reported tennis ball sized hail east of Laredo.
Storm chaser estimated wind gusts to 70 mph east of Laredo.
Storm chaser estimated 60 mph wind gusts on the southeast side of Laredo.
Cars were half submerged under water in parts of Laredo. Report was received through social media.
Ham radio operator reported quarter sized hail at the Laredo International Airport.
Storm chaser estimated wind gusts to 70 mph.
Fourteen year old boy was electrocuted after picking up a live power line that was downed in the storm.
Storm chaser reported baseball sized hail near Highway 359 west of Aguilares.
Spotter estimated 70 mph winds 3 miles east of Laredo.
Storm spotter reported many roads were impassable across the city of Laredo.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Webb | 2017-05-21 | 14 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, May 2017
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: 698213, 698319, 698219, 698223, 698231, 698225, 698253, 698248, 698236, 698243, 698259, 698256, 698272, 698278, 698289, 698300.