An area of low pressure moved across the region producing heavy rain and thunderstorms. Flooding occurred in Orange near downtown.
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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 LCH wrote it up.
An area of low pressure moved across the region producing heavy rain and thunderstorms. Flooding occurred in Orange near downtown.
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 Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 8, 4:40 AM CST, 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
440 AM CST Sat Dec 8 2018
.DISCUSSION...
Wx map shows sfc low over SE TX this morning, with fairly strong
south to southeast flow over the coastal waters and areas along
and south of I-10. Radar showing solid strong convection along and
ahead of the low, with rainfall estimates of 1-2" per hour, with
radar estimates of 4-6" over SE TX and extreme SW LA.
The heaviest rainfall rates will likely remain along and south of
I-10 into the coastal waters, but prolonged light to moderate rain
over the remainder of C and SC LA. For this, the Flood Watch will
continue through this afternoon. For SE TX, will hold on to the
Flood Watch a little longer for the light rain still falling, but
may be able to drop it towards daybreak if the current trends
continue.
Marginal risk of severe weather continues along the coastal
parishes of Louisiana for the brief intrusion of the warm sector
portion of the sfc low. Thus far, had no reports of severe
weather, nor have seen anything on radar that approached severe
limits. Cannot rule out the development of stronger updrafts with
brief spin-ups possible within the coastal waters (waterspouts)
possibly making it ashore, along with strong gusty winds
associated with the strong convection near the apex and south of
the sfc low.
Behind the exiting sfc low and upper level shortwave axis will be
strong cold air advection bringing back the much colder and drier
conditions to the region. Our daytime highs in the lower 60s are
occurring now through daybreak across SE TX/SW LA, and will fall
into the 50s once the sfc low moves east. Wrap around clouds
behind the sfc low and upper level shortwave will continue today
into Sunday, gradually clearing from west to east Sunday evening
into Monday morning. Expect the coldest night of this coldsnap on
Tuesday morning with lows in the upper 20s to near 30 north of
I-10, and lower/mid 30s elsewhere.
Gradual warming trend on Wednesday and Thursday as the high slips
east. Another vigorous upper level and sfc low expected to move
north of the region late Thursday afternoon and evening, with
another strong cold front to follow Thursday night into Friday
morning. This system and frontal boundary will bring increased
precipitation chances during this period.
DML
&&
.MARINE...
Onshore winds will continue to strengthen along and ahead of a surface
low pressure system across the Upper Texas and Louisiana coast.
Widespread rain is expected to continue early this morning, diminishing
from west to east over Southeast Texas by daybreak, and over
Southern Louisiana for the remainder of the morning into early
afternoon as the low moves east. Strong offshore flow will develop
behind the low as a strong cold front moves through the coastal
waters, with offshore prevailing through Sunday before diminishing.
For the winds, Small Craft Advisory continues for all 0-60nm
zones, and Small Craft Exercise Caution through 12z Sunday.
DML
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX 52 38 47 33 / 100 20 10 0
LCH 62 42 51 38 / 100 10 10 0
LFT 65 42 49 36 / 100 20 10 0
BPT 58 42 51 39 / 100 10 10 0
&&
.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Flash Flood Watch through this afternoon for LAZ027>033-041>045-
052>055-073-074.
TX...Flash Flood Watch until noon CST today for TXZ180-201-215-216-
259>262.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM CST Sunday for GMZ450-452-455-
470-472-475.
Small Craft Exercise Caution through late tonight for GMZ430-432-
435.
&&
PUBLIC...08Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 456 AM CST Sat Dec 8 2018 LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262- 091200- Vernon-Rapides-Avoyelles-Beauregard-Allen-Evangeline-St. Landry- Calcasieu-Jefferson Davis-Acadia-Lafayette-Upper St. Martin- Vermilion-Iberia-St. Mary-Lower St. Martin-West Cameron- East Cameron-Tyler-Hardin-Jefferson-Orange-Northern Jasper- Northern Newton-Southern Jasper-Southern Newton- 456 AM CST Sat Dec 8 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Louisiana, south central Louisiana, southwest Louisiana, west central Louisiana, and southeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times, with additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches across Central Louisiana, and 3 to 4 inches possible across Southern Louisiana. Locally higher amounts in a few locations. These rainfall totals could lead to flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas, as well as in urban locations. Flooding is also expected to develop along numerous area rivers. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect. The widespread precipitation is expected to diminish from west to east over Southeast Texas by daybreak, and over Southern Louisiana for the remainder of the morning into early afternoon as a strong cold front sweeps through the region. In addition, a marginal risk for severe storms is expected along coastal Louisiana. The primary threats will be damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Much colder and drier conditions expected Sunday through Tuesday. A warming trend is expected Wednesday and Thursday. Another strong upper level disturbance and surface low north of the region will bring an increased chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms Thursday night, followed by another strong cold front for Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. GMZ430-432-435-450-452-455-470-472-475-091200- Sabine Lake-Calcasieu Lake-Vermilion Bay- Coastal waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA out 20 NM- Waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA from 20 to 60 NM- 456 AM CST Sat Dec 8 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Gulf of Mexico. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Widespread showers and a few thunderstorms can be expected. A few waterspouts will be possible with stronger storms. In addition, storms will be capable of producing gusty winds and very heavy rainfall. The low and its associated cold front will sweep east across the coastal waters today, with winds shifting northwest and becoming strong. Small Craft Advisories will remain in effect through Sunday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Offshore flow will gradually diminish Sunday and Monday as cold high pressure builds south across the region. Onshore flow expected to resume Wednesday and Thursday as the high moves east. Another strong upper level disturbance and surface low north of the region will bring an increased chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms Thursday night, followed by another strong cold front for Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
117 AM CST SAT DEC 8 2018
TXZ201-215-216-080800-
Orange TX-Jefferson TX-Hardin TX-
117 AM CST SAT DEC 8 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...
SOUTHEASTERN HARDIN AND WEST CENTRAL ORANGE COUNTIES UNTIL 200 AM
CST...
At 117 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sour Lake, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Beaumont, Lumberton, Silsbee, Sour Lake, Bevil Oaks and Lakeview.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3037 9420 3015 9405 3006 9444 3011 9445
3011 9451 3014 9453
TIME...MOT...LOC 0717Z 242DEG 35KT 3013 9441
TWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
131 AM CST SAT DEC 8 2018
TXZ215-216-080800-
Orange-Jefferson-
131 AM CST SAT DEC 8 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT JEFFERSON AND
SOUTHWESTERN ORANGE COUNTIES...
At 131 AM CST, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Fannett to 15 miles east of High
Island. Movement was northeast at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Port Arthur, Nederland, Groves, Port Neches, Bridge City, Central
Gardens, Sabine Pass, Port Acres, Orangefield, La Belle, Southeast
Texas Regional Airport, Winnie, Stowell and Sea Rim State Park.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 2982 9436 3013 9386 2999 9378 2998 9383
2999 9386 2997 9384 2986 9393 2984 9392
2985 9394 2984 9395 2983 9392 2981 9393
2981 9395 2980 9394 2977 9393 2976 9390
2969 9384 2967 9406 2956 9435
TIME...MOT...LOC 0731Z 242DEG 48KT 2988 9422 2965 9415
TWHThe Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 50 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:12 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
TXDOT reported flooded roads near downtown Orange after 3 to 6 inches of rain occurred.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, December 2018
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: 796550.