Texas, 2020

Hurricane and Tornado in Texas, July 25 to 31, 2020

July 25 to 31, 2020 · NWS BRO · 21 events in 11 counties and zones

Hurricane Hanna, the 2020 Atlantic season's first Hurricane, made landfall along the unpopulated Padre Island National Seashore on the mid-Kenedy County coastline as a Category 1 storm at around 5 PM Central Time Saturday, July 25th, carrying sustained 90 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph in a small portion of the inner eye wall. The hurricane spun slowly but steadily into southern Kenedy and…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 9 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
5
Injuries
0
Property damage
$726 million
Crop damage
$180 million
Events
21

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 happened

The episode as NWS BRO wrote it up.

Hurricane Hanna, the 2020 Atlantic season's first Hurricane, made landfall along the unpopulated Padre Island National Seashore on the mid-Kenedy County coastline as a Category 1 storm at around 5 PM Central Time Saturday, July 25th, carrying sustained 90 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph in a small portion of the inner eye wall. The hurricane spun slowly but steadily into southern Kenedy and northern Hidalgo County through just after midnight on the 26th, then through Starr County as a Tropical Storm before moving into Tamaulipas before daybreak and eventually near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, by noon before dissipating during the evening of the 26th. Following the passage of the inner eye wall, broad feeder bands of torrential rains and gusty tropical storm force winds continued through the mid to late morning hours of July 26th, slowly migrating from east to west across the populated Rio Grande Valley.

Other than storm surge flooding, which peaked just north of Baffin Bay on the Kleberg and Nueces County coast near Corpus Christi, Hanna's memory for the Rio Grande Valley will be flooding rainfall, power outages, and an array of damage to poorly constructed buildings, from minor roof damage to complete demolition. Between 8 and 15 inches of rain fell from Port Mansfield to Harlingen, and along Interstate Highway 2 out through Mission and Sullivan City. The combination of high rainfall, locally high rainfall rates, and poor drainage left between 18 inches and four feet of water depth in many areas, most commonly from western Cameron through southeastern Hidalgo County, as well as a separate pocket in the Mission/La Joya/Sullivan City area. The rainfall wiped out 95% of the region's cotton crop; the combination of crop loss and production loss was more than one third of a billion dollars alone ($366 million)...most of which was in the Rio Grande Valley region.

At the peak of the storm, 250 thousand electric customers were without power, including all of Willacy County. Though storm surge was cut short by strong westerly flow across Cameron County, radiating swells did produce a notable surge of 3 feet or greater (estimated) from near Port Mansfield through Kenedy County. When the damage and economic loss is counted to infrastructure and agriculture combined, it is likely that Hanna cost at least one billion dollars across the Rio Grande Valley and the Deep S. Texas ranch country.

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 Jul 25, 11:33 AM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 25, 11:33 AM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
1233 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

...18z Aviation Update...

.DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below.

&&

.AVIATION...Flying conditions will continue to deteriorate through
the day and into this evening as Hurricane Hanna approaches
landfall along the Kenedy County coastline. The main impacts will
be heavy rainfall and very strong winds and wind gusts through the
day, with sustained winds 40+ knots and 60+ knots gusts occurring
later this afternoon and this evening. Wind direction will be
variable through the TAF period, with winds circulating counter-
clockwise around Hanna. IFR and possible LIFR ceilings and
visibilities are expected later this afternoon and evening,
especially with heavy rain. Additionally, LLWS is looking likely
at all 3 TAF sites beginning around 20-21z this afternoon. Will
continue to amend TAF as necessary.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 630 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020/

DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below.

AVIATION...VFR conditions are prevailing across the Rio Grande
Valley this morning, but aviation conditions will deteriorate
throughout the day today as Tropical Storm Hanna approaches the
Texas coast. This will lead to a very complicated and low
confidence forecast over the next 24 hours, with amendments
likely to the TAFs periodically. Showers and isolated
thunderstorms from the rain bands associated with Hanna should
start to impact the airfields later this morning. By this
afternoon, winds will become very gusty, gusting between 35-50+
knots through tonight, with off/on heavy rain and occasional
rumbles of thunder. Wind directions will shift through the period.
Included periodic low-level wind shear for all 3 TAF sites for
wind speeds/gusts between 40-60 knots at 2000 feet above ground
level.

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 501 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020/

.HANNA CLOSE TO HURRICANE STRENGTH...
.DEEP SOUTH TEXAS THREATENED WITH DANGEROUS FLOODING AND STRONG
WINDS...

SHORT TERM (Now through Sunday): The main concern for the short
term period continues to be impacts from Tropical Storm Hanna,
which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the time it
makes landfall later today. Current radar and satellite imagery
look quite impressive and show rain bands from Hanna already
impacting the lower Texas coastal waters. These bands will be
expected to move onshore and impact the coastal areas shortly.

At 4 AM CDT this morning, the center of TS Hanna was located about
100 miles ENE of Port Mansfield (27.0 North, 95.8 West), with
maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. Hanna is moving toward the west
near 9 mph and this motion should continue through this morning. A
gradual turn toward the west-southwest is expected by this evening
and that motion should continue through Sunday as it moves through
Deep South Texas. The forecast track from NHC has the center of
Hanna making landfall along the lower Texas coast near Port
Mansfield this afternoon or early this evening. As of 4 AM CDT,
Hurricane Warnings are in effect across the lower Texas coastal
waters north of Port Mansfield, all of Kenedy, Willacy, and Brooks
County. Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect across the lower
Texas coastal waters south of Port Mansfield, all of Jim Hogg,
Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron County. A Storm Surge Warning is
now in effect for the coastal portions of Kenedy and Willacy County
through Sunday night.

The main impact from Hanna continues to be very heavy rain and flash
flooding as this slow moving system brings ample tropical moisture
to our area, but hurricane-force wind gusts, storm surge, coastal
flooding, and high surf and rip current conditions will also be a
concern through the weekend. Precipitable water values will reach
near 2.9 inches today, putting expected peak rainfall amounts around
6 to 12 inches, with isolated amounts up to 18 inches possible. With
the expected rainfall, the Weather Prediction Center has included
the southern RGV in a high risk for excessive rainfall with a
marginal risk across the rest of Deep South Texas today. As such, a
Flash Flood Watch is in effect across all of Deep South Texas
through 7 PM CDT Sunday.

Other impacts from Hanna will be tidal runup, minor coastal flooding
along the coast, high surf and high rip currents with wave heights
from swell and wind waves building between 8 (nearshore) and 16
(offshore) feet. As a result, surf conditions at local beaches of
South Padre Island and Boca Chica will become extremely rough and
dangerous, with strong rip currents, beginning this evening and
continuing through the majority of the weekend. A Coastal Flood
Advisory remains in effect until 7 PM CDT Sunday and  a High Surf
Advisory and a High Rip Current Risk are now in effect until 7 AM
CDT Monday.

LONG TERM (Sunday Night through Friday): As the remnants of
Hanna move west into Northeast and then Central Mexico Sunday into
Sunday night, broad weakness in the 500 mb pattern will prevail
over the lower Texas coast. In combination with lingering tropical
moisture over Texas and the West Gulf of Mexico, the threat of
convection through the first half of next week will continue.
Sunday night into Monday will hold the potential for an additional
inch of rain, with amounts in the tenths after that through mid
week. After about mid week however, 500 mb ridging will build
slowly over the Texas coastline, helping to reduce, though perhaps
not totally eliminate, convective chances for the last half of
the work week. As a result, low end pops may linger over eastern
sections through the end of the long term. Temps will be held down
to slightly below normal through mid week due to lingering rain
chances and generally ample cloud cover, but should trend upward
to near normal by the end of the week.

MARINE:

Now through Sunday: At 400 AM CDT, the center of Tropical Storm
Hanna was located near latitude 27.0 North, longitude 95.8 West.
Hanna is moving toward the west near 9 mph, and this motion should
continue through this morning and is expected to cross the south
Texas coast Saturday midday. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in
effect for the the lower Texas coastal Gulf waters and Laguna
Madre waters from the Rio Grande up to Port Mansfield, and a
Hurricane Warning remains in effect across all of the waters north
of Port Mansfield. Rain bands from Hanna are already crossing the
lower Texas coastal waters early this morning, and buoy 42020 is
already reporting seas of 16 feet and gusts up to 37 knots. Marine
conditions will continue to deteriorate through the day as winds
and swell increase, especially across the northern Gulf waters,
where hurricane force wind gusts are likely. Mariners should
listen for the latest forecast before venturing out of port
through the weekend.

Sunday Night through Wednesday Night...Marine weather in the long
term will reflect a transition from the influence of Hanna back
to more reasonable, post tropical cyclone conditions. Wave heights
are forecast to be above small craft advisory criteria on the
Gulf Sunday night and may continue marginally so into Monday.
Beyond Monday, moderate winds will continue, with persistent
elevated seas. Small craft should exercise caution conditions will
persist into Tuesday, and even into Wednesday offshore.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
BAYVIEW/PORT ISABEL  87  79  87  79 / 100 100  80  50
BROWNSVILLE          87  80  87  79 /  90  90  80  50
HARLINGEN            86  78  87  77 / 100 100  80  60
MCALLEN              88  79  84  78 /  90 100  80  60
RIO GRANDE CITY      92  77  86  76 /  80  90  80  60
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND   85  81  85  81 / 100  90  70  50

&&

.BRO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Hurricane Warning for TXZ250-251-254-256-351.

     Tropical Storm Warning for TXZ248-249-252-253-255-257-353.

     Flash Flood Watch through Sunday evening for TXZ248>257-351-353.

     High Rip Current Risk through Monday morning for TXZ256-257.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 7 PM CDT Sunday for TXZ256-257.

     High Surf Advisory until 9 AM CDT Monday for TXZ256-257.

GM...Hurricane Warning for GMZ132-135-150-155-170-175.

     Tropical Storm Warning for GMZ130.

&&

This product is also available on the web at:
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RGV

Aviation...67-Mejia
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 25, 4:25 AM CST, 8 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
525 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

TXZ248>257-351-353-261030-
Zapata-Jim Hogg-Brooks-Inland Kenedy-Starr-Southern Hidalgo-
Inland Willacy-Inland Cameron-Coastal Willacy-Coastal Cameron-
Coastal Kenedy-Northern Hidalgo-
525 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Deep South
Texas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kenedy, Brooks, and Willacy
County.

A Tropical Storm Warning will remain in effect for Jim Hogg,
Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron County.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all of Deep South Texas and
the Rio Grande Valley from 7 AM CDT today until 7 PM CDT Sunday.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the coastal portions of
Kenedy County.

A Coastal Flood Advisory for the coastal portions of Cameron and
Willacy County will remain in effect until 7 PM CDT Sunday.

A High Surf Advisory and a High Rip Current Risk are in effect
until 7 AM CDT Monday.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

A Hurricane Warning will remain in effect for Kenedy, Brooks, and
Willacy County.

A Tropical Storm Warning will remain in effect for Jim Hogg,
Zapata, Starr, Willacy, Hidalgo, and Cameron County.

A Flash Flood Watch will remain in effect for all of Deep South
Texas and the Rio Grande Valley from 7 AM CDT today until 7 PM CDT
Sunday.

A Storm Surge Warning will remain in effect for the coastal
portions of Kenedy County.

A Coastal Flood Advisory will remain in effect for the coastal
portions of Cameron and Willacy County until 7 PM CDT Sunday.

A High Surf Advisory and a High Rip Current Risk will remain in
effect for the coastal portions of Cameron and Willacy County
until 7 AM CDT Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information
about observed severe weather to the NWS Brownsville Office while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

GMZ130-132-135-150-155-170-175-261030-
Laguna Madre from the Port of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado-
Laguna Madre from the Arroyo Colorado To 5 NM north of Port
Mansfield TX-
Laguna Madre from 5 nm north of Port Mansfield to Baffin Bay TX-
Coastal waters from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Baffin Bay to Port Mansfield out 20 nm-
Waters from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande extending from 20 to
60 nm-
Waters from Baffin Bay to Port Mansfield extending from 20 to
60 nm-
525 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of The Gulf of
Mexico and The Laguna Madre.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

A Hurricane Warning will remain in effect for the Laguna Madre
and the Gulf of Mexico waters from Port Mansfield to Baffin Bay
out 60 nautical miles offshore until early Sunday morning.

The Tropical Storm Warning will remain in effect for the Laguna
Madre and Gulf of Mexico waters from from Port Mansfield to the
Rio Grande out 60 nautical miles offshore until early Sunday
morning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

A Hurricane Warning will remain in effect for the Laguna Madre
and the Gulf of Mexico waters from Port Mansfield to Baffin Bay
out 60 nautical miles offshore until early Sunday morning.

The Tropical Storm Warning will remain in effect for the Laguna
Madre and Gulf of Mexico waters from from Port Mansfield to the
Rio Grande out 60 nautical miles offshore until early Sunday
morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information
about observed severe weather to the NWS Brownsville Office while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 25, 8:07 AM CST, 5 hours 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
907 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

TXZ250-251-253>257-351-353-251530-
Coastal Willacy TX-Inland Willacy TX-Southern Hidalgo TX-Brooks TX-
Coastal Kenedy TX-Coastal Cameron TX-Northern Hidalgo TX-
Inland Cameron TX-Inland Kenedy TX-
907 AM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

...Hurricane Hanna Approaching the Lower Texas Coast...

At 856 AM CDT, the initial bands of Hurricane Hanna are arriving
along the lower Texas coast. Occasional wind gusts of 50 mph or
locally higher may become more frequent through the morning,
especially along portions of Brooks, Kenedy, and Willacy counties.

Locations impacted include...
Harlingen, Weslaco, San Benito, Donna, Mercedes, Raymondville, La
Feria, Elsa, Los Fresnos and Progreso.

LAT...LON 2606 9804 2726 9829 2728 9735 2690 9746
      2700 9756 2695 9755 2695 9756 2680 9751
      2684 9736 2644 9732 2648 9725 2648 9724
      2646 9724 2636 9738 2595 9715 2584 9740
TIME...MOT...LOC 1356Z 010DEG 31KT 2719 9774

Hallman
Special weather statement, Jul 25, 11:40 AM CST, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
1240 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

TXZ254>257-251800-
Coastal Willacy TX-Inland Willacy TX-Coastal Cameron TX-
Inland Cameron TX-
1240 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2020

...HURRICANE HANNA APPROACHING THE LOWER TEXAS COAST...

At 1236 PM CDT, the initial bands of Hurricane Hanna are continuing
south along the lower Texas coast across Willacy and Cameron
counties. Occasional wind gusts of 55 mph or locally higher may
become more frequent through the morning.

Locations impacted include...
Harlingen, San Benito, Raymondville, La Feria, Los Fresnos, Santa
Rosa, South Padre Island, Lyford, Rancho Viejo and Rio Hondo.

LAT...LON 2584 9743 2594 9758 2603 9764 2605 9784
      2643 9786 2644 9793 2659 9796 2659 9743
      2655 9742 2659 9731 2657 9728 2659 9729
      2659 9728 2607 9714 2605 9716 2595 9715
      2596 9728 2591 9737 2584 9737
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 355DEG 41KT 2598 9739

Hallman
Local storm report, Jul 25, 12:56 PM CST, 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
156 PM CDT SAT JUL 25 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0118 PM     HURRICANE        17 N PORT MANSFIELD     26.80N 97.47W
07/25/2020                   GMZ135             TX   BUOY

            RINCON DEL SAN JOSE TCOON BUOY REPORTED A WIND GUST OF 69
            KNOTS...79 MPH. ALTIMETER 29.23 IN HG...989.8 MB

&&

BMEJIA
Local storm report, Jul 25, 1:05 PM CST, 10 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
205 PM CDT SAT JUL 25 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0146 PM     HURRICANE        PORT MANSFIELD          26.55N  97.43W
07/25/2020                   WILLACY            TX   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT RECEIVED OF HOUSES IN PORT
            MANSFIELD LOSING ASPHALT SHINGLES.

&&

EVENT NUMBER BRO2000034

TRS

The radar

The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 96 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:29 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 tropical storm, 4 hurricane (typhoon), 4 flood, 3 storm surge/tide, 3 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Coastal Kenedy County

When
July 25, 1:15 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where
Coastal Kenedy County forecast zone
Category
1
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
26.928, -97.636 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Hanna moved across the western Gulf of Mexico and made landfall on the mid-Kenedy County coastline at around 5 PM Central Time Saturday, July 25th, carrying sustained 90 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph in a small portion of the inner eye wall. While there aren't many observations in Kenedy County during this event, Buoy RSJT2 is just off the coastline in the Laguna Madre that borders this county and can be used as a reasonable proxy. Peak winds reached 71 mph with a gust to 103 mph. With observations from RSJT2, along with radar analysis, it is reasonable to assume that Kenedy County experienced hurricane-force winds around 14:00 CST to 16:30 CST. At this time, sustained property and crop damage costs are unknown for this area.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Inland Kenedy County

When
July 25, 1:15 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Inland Kenedy County forecast zone
Category
1
Crop damage
$100,000
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
26.928, -97.636 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Hanna moved across the western Gulf of Mexico and made landfall on the mid-Kenedy County coastline at around 5 PM Central Time Saturday, July 25th, carrying sustained 90 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph in a small portion of the inner eye wall. While there aren't many observations in Kenedy County during this event, Buoy RSJT2 is just off the coastline in the Laguna Madre that borders this county and can be used as a reasonable proxy. Peak winds reached 71 mph with a gust to 103 mph. With observations from RSJT2, along with radar analysis, it is reasonable to assume that portions of Kenedy County experienced hurricane-force winds around 14:00 CST to 16:30 CST. At this time, impacts/loss to livestock costs are unknown for this area.

An NWS employee and a national storm chaser each reported hundreds of trees and large limbs blown down along U.S. 77 in central/west central Kenedy County immediately after and during the week following the hurricane. It was unknown what type of damage was done to ranch buildings across the county.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Coastal Willacy

When
July 25, 1:15 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where
Coastal Willacy forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$60 million
Reported by
Buoy

Hurricane Hanna moved across the western Gulf of Mexico and made landfall on the mid-Kenedy County coastline at around 5 PM Central Time Saturday, July 25th, carrying sustained 90 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph in a small portion of the inner eye wall. While there aren't many observations in Willacy County during this event, Buoy RSJT2 is just off the coastline in the Laguna Madre just north of Willacy County and can be used as a reasonable proxy. Based on the proxy observations, sustained winds likely reached near hurricane force (71 mph). With observations from RSJT2, along with radar analysis, it is reasonable to assume that portions of Willacy County experienced hurricane-force winds around 14:30 CST to 16:30 CST.

Damage surveys revealed significant property and flora damage in Port Mansfield. |Poorly built or poorly anchored structures sustained the heaviest damage, including several flipped recreational vehicles and several partially or totally destroyed mobile trailer homes. Near Laguna Madre, all moderately constructed homes in one neighborhood had varying damage to roofs/shingles, fences, siding, and outbuildings. A few boat garage doors were blown out along bayside entries. Dozens of tree limbs were blown down and several uprooted, and at least a dozen power poles were snapped or leaning along SR 186 in and near Port Mansfield.

NCEI's new report as of the end of 2020, totaled Hanna as a 1.1 billion dollar damage event, so total property damage was updated in early 2021. Public Assistance property damage estimates, mainly due to wind, were around $127.6 thousand, and NCEI's estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) was $59.85 million for coastal Willacy County.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Willacy

When
July 25, 1:15 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where
Willacy forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$142 million
Crop damage
$35 million
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
26.477, -97.592 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Hanna moved across the western Gulf of Mexico and made landfall on the mid-Kenedy County coastline at around 5 PM Central Time Saturday, July 25th, carrying sustained 90 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph in a small portion of the inner eye wall. While there aren't many observations in Willacy County during this event, Buoy RSJT2 is just off the coastline in the Laguna Madre just north of Willacy County and can be used as a reasonable proxy. Based on the proxy observations, sustained winds likely reached near hurricane force (71 mph).With observations from RSJT2, along with radar analysis, it is reasonable to assume that portions of Willacy County experienced hurricane-force winds around 14:30 CST to 16:30 CST.

Substantial and widespread wind damage was noted in and near Raymondville. A damage survey estimated wind gusts in Raymondville to have reached 75 to 80 mph during the period of eyewall passage, though strong tropical storm force gusts continued well into the evening and overnight of July 25/26 as the back side feeder bands continued to pummel the county from Raymondville to Lyford to Lasara and Sebastian. A peak gust of 80 mph was recorded in neighboring Hidalgo County, a few miles southwest of the Hidalgo/Willacy County line, at 1005 PM CST July 25.

Damage included roof, shingle, and some wall damage to several dozen homes in Raymondville, as well as damage to farm buildings on the east side of town. 100 percent of the county was without power during the peak of the storm, due to dozens of snapped or leaning power poles and downed lines. Thousands of trees/limbs were snapped and dozens uprooted. A stadium light stanchion was ripped out of the ground by an eddy wind at Raymondville High School. Similar but lesser damage was seen in Lyford and Sebastian, where peak winds may have been closer to tropical storm force. Final individual assistance and insured property damage estimates for inland Willacy County were provided at the end of 2020 by NCEI. Local storm data experts partitioned the total damage estimate between the affected counties, and the portion for inland Willacy was $139.65 million. Public assistance damage estimates were $2.59 million.

Sustained crop damage costs associated with these damaging winds is estimated to be 34.6 million - a combination of citrus and sugar cane.

Tropical Storm, Cameron

When
July 25, 1:30 PM CST to July 26, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Cameron forecast zone
Property damage
$102 million
Crop damage
$26 million
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
26.152, -97.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm-force winds ravaged northern Cameron County from mid afternoon on July 25th until just after midnight on July 26th. Strongest winds occurred during the evening of July 25th, when the southern and eastern eyewall clipped the region along and north of Interstate 2 between Harlingen/Rio Hondo and La Feria north to the Willacy County line. Measured and estimated wind gusts in these areas were near hurricane force (65 mph) with sustained winds peaking between 40 and 50 mph. Harlingen/Rio Grande Valley International Airport reported a peak gust to 63 mph before taking a power loss.

The slow movement of the inner core of Hanna allowed minor wind damage to occur in this area, with at least one hundred trees losing large limbs along with power lines and several power poles snapped or bent. Minor damage also occurred to poorly built structures along the IH-2 corridor as well as along the IH-69E corridor from Harlingen/San Benito northward. This included a number of fences blown down and a roof blown off a shed near La Feria. At the storm's peak, an estimated 50 thousand electric customers were without power. NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) was $99.75 million for inland Cameron County. Public Assistance dollar values were estimated to be $1.88 million.

Crop damage was also significant, with sugar cane snapped in many fields and young fruit being blown off citrus trees, which also sustained damage. Estimated dollar value loss based on reports from Texas Agrilife in late summer was $25.9 million in Cameron County.

Storm Surge/Tide, Coastal Kenedy County

When
July 25, 2:00 PM CST to July 26, 11:00 PM CST
Where
Coastal Kenedy County forecast zone
Property damage
$12,000
Reported by
C-MAN Station
Coordinates
26.928, -97.636 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Storm surge generated by Hurricane Hanna pushed tide levels above ground in excess of 3 feet along coastal Kenedy County beginning by mid afternoon of July 25th and likely continuing through landfall at approximately 4 PM local standard time on the mid-Kenedy County coast along the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS). Though high water marks had not been specifically provided on PINS at the time of this writing, ground and aerial surveys suggested water levels above ground may have exceeded 4 feet above normally dry ground on portions of PINS in Kenedy County. Levels up to 5.48 feet above normally dry ground at the shoreline (Mean Higher High Water) were noted along the Coastal Bend just north of Kenedy County at the north entrance to PINS. Though Hanna did not create any known new cuts into the Barrier Island of Kenedy County, visual evidence from ground and aerial post-storm surveys indicated eight rearranged washover channels from the combination of storm surge and breaking waves. Most dunes were eroded to varying levels on the Kenedy portion of PINS.

Along Laguna Madre, tides ran out on northwest flow ahead of landfall, but rose sharply on strong southeast to south flow post-landfall. At the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network platform at Rincon del San Jose, near the land cut about one-third the distance north of Port Mansfield, return flow pushed water levels to an estimated 3.43 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL; note: an equivalent value based on the MHHW datum was not available) at 418 AM CST July 26th. The high water levels - based on 2.5 feet or greater MSL as proxy, began at 8 PM CST July 25th and continued through 11 PM CST July 26th before slowly receding.

Other than severe beach erosion, there was little known property damage due to Storm Surge in largely unpopulated coastal Kenedy County. However, damage estimates to fishing huts and other coastal properties as calculated from NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) was $11,866 for coastal Kenedy County.

Storm Surge/Tide, Coastal Willacy

When
July 25, 2:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Coastal Willacy forecast zone
Property damage
$12,000
Reported by
C-MAN Station

Storm surge generated by Hurricane Hanna pushed water and breaking waves deep into the dunes in the Willacy County portion of the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS), mainly between mile marker 55 and 60 to the Mansfield cut. There was likely water deep into the dunes farther south in coastal Willacy County, but levels are unknown. A sharp cutoff to significant surge/coastal flooding was likely near the Cameron County line, where strengthening westerly flow held sea water from reaching into the dunes after the morning high tide on July 25th. Though high water marks had not been specifically provided on the Willacy County section of PINS at the time of this writing, ground and aerial surveys along with video taken just prior to landfall in Kenedy County suggested water levels above ground may have exceeded 3 feet above normally dry ground in this area. Dunes were severely eroded north of the Mansfield Cut.

Along Laguna Madre, tides ran out on northwest flow ahead of landfall, but rose sharply on strong southeast to south flow post-landfall. This produced another surge event on the 26th...see the second event listing for Coastal Willacy for details.

Other than severe beach erosion, there was little known property damage due to Storm Surge in largely unpopulated coastal Willacy County north of the Mansfield cut. However, damage estimates for fishing huts and other coastal properties was calculated by local storm data experts using NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) and was $11,866 for coastal Willacy County.

Tropical Storm, Coastal Cameron

When
July 25, 2:45 PM CST to July 26, 3:30 AM CST
Where
Coastal Cameron forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS

Intermittent Tropical Storm-force winds affected coastal Cameron County from late afternoon on July 25th until the pre-dawn hours of July 26th. Strongest winds occurred in two segments: First, during the initial approach of the southwestern edge of the eyewall between mid afternoon and early evening on the 25th, then again overnight to just before daybreak on the 26th in strong southeasterly feeder bands that pushed gusts to 55 mph. Peak sustained winds reached 46 mph at 252 AM CST with a peak gust of 55 mph occurring at 253 AM CST. Gusts over 50 mph also occurred during the afternoon in the southwest eyewall.

Crop damage in the coastal portion of Cameron County was included with the total for Cameron County overall, listed in the Cameron entry. Property damage was limited in coastal Cameron County as strongest winds favored the northern portion, where population is much less and infrastructure tends to be better built. Details were not available as of this writing.

Tropical Storm, Northern Hidalgo County

When
July 25, 5:30 PM CST to July 26, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Northern Hidalgo County forecast zone
Property damage
$33 million
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
26.397, -98.181 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The slowly weakening inner eyewall of Hurricane Hanna eased into northern Hidalgo County during the early evening of July 25th and would exit a few hours after midnight on the 26th. The Automated Weather Observing System 11 miles north of Edinburg reported a peak sustained wind of 45 mph with a peak gust of 54 mph soon after 6 PM CST on the 25th before the sensor stopped reporting. Farther east, near the Willacy County line, a sensor reported a peak gust to 80 mph (Texas Agriscience Center, just a few miles from the Willacy County line) as the southern inner eyewall crossed at 1005 PM CST - just on the edge of the Northern Hidalgo zone area.

A NWS Storm Survey team investigated some of the area and found dozens of large tree limbs blown down along IH 69C/US 281. No significant structural damage was reported along the route, though not all areas were surveyed and it's likely that there may have been additional rural damage between San Manuel and Raymondville along and near SR 186. Based on NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) there was likely $33.25 million in damage for Northern Hidalgo.

Tropical Storm, Southern Hidalgo County

When
July 25, 6:30 PM CST to July 26, 4:30 AM CST
Where
Southern Hidalgo County forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 5 indirect
Property damage
$305 million
Crop damage
$29 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
26.397, -98.181 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The slowly weakening inner eyewall of Hurricane Hanna eased into southern Hidalgo County along the Willacy County line during the evening of July 25th and would exit the southwest corner of the county just before daybreak on the 26th. Widespread wind damage was noted in more than a dozen colonias from near Elsa/Edcouch to north of Edinburg (San Carlos to Doolittle), including damage to roofs, walls, shingles, and windows to dozens of poorly constructed/anchored homes severely damaged and at least a dozen (that were seen on survey) were demolished. Hundreds of trees and dozens of power poles were damaged (leaning or snapped), and power outages across this area were likely to be around 150 thousand in total. NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) was $299.25 million for Southern Hidalgo County, and public assistance dollars due to wind were estimated at $5.7 million.

An automated sensor several miles northeast of Elsa (Texas AgriScience Center platform) reported a peak gust to 80 mph as the southern inner eyewall crossed at 1005 PM CST. Peak winds at McAllen/Miller Airport were 39 mph (at 245 CST on the 26th), but a peak gust of 60 mph was recorded at 928 PM CST on the 25th. Additional gusts between 40 and 50 mph occurred through the night as the eastern eyewall of the weakened system (a tropical storm) oozed through southwest Hidalgo County. In general, peak winds were measured/estimated at 65 to 80 mph in the area near the Willacy County line, and 60 to 65 mph in the McAllen/Mission/Sullivan City area.

Wind damaged crops was also common in the Rio Grande Valley's breadbasket with an estimated $29.2 million in citrus and snapped sugar cane alone, based on an initial report from Texas Agrilife.

While there were no direct fatalities with Hanna in southern Hidalgo County, there were five indirect deaths in the recovery days following Hanna. Four in one family from carbon monoxide poisoning on July 27th, and one elderly man who fell from a ladder while attempting roof repairs on July 28th.

Tropical Storm, Brooks

When
July 25, 7:00 PM CST to July 26, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Brooks forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
27.032, -98.219 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The slowly weakening inner eyewall of Hurricane Hanna slid across southern and central Brooks County during the evening of July 25th, producing peak sustained winds (though incomplete) of 34 mph with a peak gust of 53 mph at the Brooks County Airport east of Falfurrias. Stronger winds, likely sustained at 40 to 45 mph with estimated gusts to 55 or 60 mph, were likely over the southern third of the county which experienced the more persistent rains and wind in the eyewall. A storm survey conducted in southern Brooks County found dozens of large tree limbs down, but no significant structural damage, near Encino.

Tropical Storm, Starr

When
July 25, 8:00 PM CST to July 26, 6:30 AM CST
Where
Starr forecast zone
Property damage
$33 million
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
26.562, -98.738 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Hanna weakened to a Tropical Storm as it moved into Hidalgo and Starr County before exiting the US into northwest Tamaulipas and northern Nuevo Leon, Mexico, during the post-daybreak hours of July 26th. Though weakening, the well-organized and large cyclone maintained tropical storm force wind gusts measured as high as 64 mph in northeast Starr County during the pre-dawn hours of the 26th. The Remote Automated Weather Station at Falcon Lake in southwestern Starr reported a peak gust to 52 mph at 111 AM CST, also on the 26th.

Local ranchers reported an unknown number of large limbs blown down, along with a few barns pushed off their moorings and an unknown number of buildings with shingle damage, in the eastern half of the county. A tin roof was blown off a service station in Roma. NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts) was $32.5 million for Starr County.

Flash Flood, Willacy

When
July 25, 8:30 PM CST to July 26, 12:30 AM CST
Where
Willacy County, 5.16 mi WSW of Port Mansfield to 3.9 mi E of Santa Monica
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$6.0 million
Crop damage
$36 million
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
26.527, -97.510

Reports of high flowing water blocking passage along SR-186 just west of Port Mansfield were received during the evening of July 25th, when feeder bands into the eastern semicircle of then-Tropical Storm Hanna dropped an additional 4 to 8 inches of rainfall into central and eastern Willacy County. Other flooding was noted in poor drainage locations of Raymondville, and there was an unknown amount of field flooding in eastern Willacy County due to an estimated 11 to 13 inches of rainfall through the duration of the event, which began during the mid afternoon of July 25th.

Water depths of 2 to 3 feet were likely in some areas, though specifics were unknown. A known poor drainage location at an apartment complex in south Raymondville had up to 3 feet of water depth in parking areas, blocking access to the facility. Other flood related damage in central Willacy County was minimal. In Port Mansfield, where nearly 15 inches of rain fell, including 9 inches in initial inner eyewall bands on July 25th, sandy soil and antecedent dry conditions kept flooding to a minimum.

Crop damage from flooding rain was significant in Willacy County, including a heavy loss of cotton lint (or bolls) which were destroyed by the flood. Estimates suggest that $36 million in cotton crop was lost from Hanna's flooding rains.

Property damage from flood waters was calculated using NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts). Total property damage from flood waters for Willacy County was $5.98 million.

Flash Flood, Cameron

When
July 25, 9:30 PM CST to July 26, 4:00 PM CST
Where
Cameron County, 5.65 mi N of Santa Rosa to 5.79 mi SSW of La Feria
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$13 million
Crop damage
$27 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
26.331, -97.838

Afternoon and early evening rains of 2 to 3 inches fell across the IH-2 corridor of Cameron County, from La Feria to east of Harlingen, and saturated soils ahead of the torrential rains that were to come later in the evening as the southern and eastern eyewall pulled copious tropical moisture into northern Cameron County after sunset. Estimated rainfall of 4 to 6+ inches by mid evening began to produce known flash flooding in La Feria and Harlingen, with two water rescues conducted in La Feria just after 10 PM CST. Despite lighter rains, flash flooding would continue due to poor drainage situations, especially in the La Feria/Santa Rosa area. A broad south to north feeder band added another 2 to 4+ inches of rainfall to the storm totals during the pre-dawn hours, and light rains would continue to around noon in western Cameron County before ending. Note: Estimated flood-related public assistance property damage is provided in this episode. However, the total damage would also include another 3 to 5 inches that would fall in an unrelated tropical band of torrential rain during the evening of July 27th.

Flooding would decimate the cotton (lint) crop and other unharvested dryland crops to an estimated value of $27.1 million. Public assistance property damage as of this writing from flooding rainfall was estimated to be at $3.3 million. Additional public and individual assistance dollar damages, as well as insured damages, from flood waters was calculated using NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts). Total property damage from flood waters for Cameron County was $9.968 million.

Flash Flood, Hidalgo

When
July 26, 12:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Hidalgo County, 3.56 mi ENE of Retampego to 4.79 mi S of (Mfe)miller Intl Arp
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$32 million
Crop damage
$27 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
26.101, -97.867

Torrential rains associated with both the eastern and southern eyewall (late evening of July 25th) and persistent southeast to northwest feeder bands that followed (after midnight through late afternoon of July 26th) created widespread flash and areal flooding across many portions of populated Hidalgo County as then-Tropical Storm Hanna slowly moved from Hidalgo County into Starr County, Texas, and eventually into northern Mexico on July 26th. Heaviest rainfall directly associated with Hanna and the feeder bands fell in the Mission-South McAllen-Pharr region, where measured and estimated rainfall of 10 to 15 inches produced 18 inches to 4 feet of water depth and required a number of water rescues during the prolonged period of flooding. A few specific reports included:|*Numerous water rescues in the City of Mission (pre-dawn hours, July 26)|*Numerous streets with up to 2 feet of water depth in Weslaco (8 AM July 26 report)|*Canal overtopping banks and flooding roads in South McAllen on S. 23rd Street (830 AM July 26th)|*3 feet of water, rising, in Mission (830 AM report)|*Water entering homes in southeast Edinburg, estimated just after sunrise July 26

An unknown number of properties were damaged by floodwaters, but dozens if not hundreds of vehicles had varying levels of floodwater inside them. In total, there were at least 200 persons and several dozen pets rescued/evacuated by State of Texas rescue teams from Texas Task Force 1 and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, to name two.

Public and individual assistance dollar damages, as well as insured damages, from flood waters was calculated using NCEI's total dollar damage estimate (divided among the affected counties by local storm data experts). Total property damage from flood waters for Cameron County was $9.968 million. In addition, an initial public assistance value was available - subject to further updates - and was estimated to be $7.99 million. Please note that a second round of flooding rain on July 27th exacerbated the ongoing conditions but that value is folded into this episode for brevity. Crop damage due to the flooding was estimated to be 27.1 million, heavily weighted by damage to cotton but also some damage to other dryland crops.

Final public, individual assistance, and insured damage was likely to range somewhere from $200 to $500 million when all data are counted later in 2020 and beyond.

Tornado, Cameron

When
July 26, 2:32 AM CST to 2:36 AM CST
Where
Cameron County, 3.3 mi S of (Bro)brownsville Arp to 0.98 mi W of (Bro)brownsville Arp
Rating
EF0
Path length
3.43 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$250,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
25.873, -97.429

Hurricane Hanna made landfall along the Kenedy county|coast on the evening of July 25, 2020. As Hanna pushed inland, its|eastern outer rain bands produced several areas of rotation. One|area of stronger rotation developed south of Brownsville just across|the Rio Grande in Mexico. The Brownsville radar briefly detected|a debris signature as it moved northward toward the Brownsville|airport. The Brownsville airport, in addition to residents in|nearby neighborhoods, reported wind damage.

The initial touchdown was discovered about 2.3 miles south |of Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport. Here, an|empty tractor trailer was moved on an angle into a stand of trees, |an unanchored travel trailer was flipped, a storage shed was flattened,|and several mesquite trees lost large limbs. A few minutes later, several |areas of damage occurred on the west side of the Brownsville airport. |A dozen windows were blown out of an airplane hangar building, an|unanchored old jet staircase was flipped and a garage door|collapsed inward. In addition, a Boeing 737 aircraft was moved into a|hangar, causing damage to the hangar wall. No damage was noted to|the plane itself. As the tornado moved to the north northwest,|several large tree limbs were snapped, in addition to a weak|uprooted tree. Finally further north, two homes lost large sections|of their roofs with most walls still standing. The brief tornado|then lifted with no other tornado damage found.

Based on the survey and quality of construction materials surveyed, the tornado was rated EF0 with peak winds of 75 mph.

Flood, Cameron

When
July 26, 4:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Cameron County, 1.34 mi SSW of Portway Acres to 0.97 mi SW of Laureles
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Social Media
Coordinates
25.902, -97.478

Trusted reports from Facebook indicated 1 to 2 feet of standing water in some neighborhood streets in Los Fresnos during a period of outer south to north moving feeder bands well east of the center of Tropical Storm Hanna which was moving into northern Mexico south of Starr County at around the same time. An estimated 3 to 5 inches additional rainfall fell during this period, with measured and estimated storm totals of 6 to 9 inches in southeastern Cameron County. No significant flooding was reported, and any property damage was unknown.

Some of the cotton crop (lint, or bolls) and perhaps other crop was flattened by the torrential rains in fields between San Benito and Bayview. Exact dollar damage estimates for these fields was unknown; an estimated total is provided in the Flash Flood Entry for this episode in Cameron County.

Storm Surge/Tide, Coastal Willacy

When
July 26, 10:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Coastal Willacy forecast zone
Reported by
C-MAN Station

Along Laguna Madre in northern coastal Willacy County, the approach of Hurricane Hanna just 15 miles north of the county line produced strong outbound tide on strong northwest winds. As the eye moved onshore and passed the longitude of Laguna Madre, winds quickly shifted to the south with strong tropical storm force gusts, and waters rose rapidly. Peak tide (2.62 feet above Mean Sea Level) occurred at Port Mansfield at 1136 AM CST July 26th. Based on these conditions, as well as survey results that showed return water about 25 yards into marsh grass along Laguna Madre in Port Mansfield, it was possible that 3 feet of water above normally high ground occurred at some point between 10 AM CST and 6 PM CST on July 26th, all associated with the backside circulation around Hanna, which had weakened to a tropical storm (but still with a large envelope) in northeast Mexico.

Other than flattened marsh grass, no visible property damage was seen due to surge water in the town of Port Mansfield based on an NWS storm survey conducted on July 27th.

Flood, Willacy

When
July 26, 4:00 PM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Willacy County, 3.84 mi W of Sebastian to 0.67 mi ESE of La Sara
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
26.343, -97.862

High standing water due to a total of 7 to 10 inches of rainfall that fell directly from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna from late on July 25th through early afternoon on July 26th continued to close roads and stand in neighborhoods, fields, and ditches through the end of July. An additional 2 to 3 inches fell during the late afternoon and early evening of July 27th from an unrelated tropical rain band, leaving total rainfall of 10 to 15 inches in the area.

A combination of the heavy rain with known drainage capacity issues in the form of pumps, pipes, and retention kept water levels ranging from one to three feet deep on several Farm-to-Market and County Roads in the southwest corner of Willacy County from near Sebastian to north of Lyford to the eastern Hidalgo County line. Fields saw similar water levels, and low lying neighborhoods had high water near homes, with spot-built farm homes seeing some water inside.

Note: Public Assistance (which includes damage to roads and bridges) and Crop damage is listed on the Flash Flood event in southwestern Willacy County for brevity. Individual assistance and insured damage reported through the National Flood Insurance Program was estimated to be around $6 million for Willacy County. This information is also included in the flash flood entry, as mentioned above.

Flood, Cameron

When
July 26, 4:00 PM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cameron County, 2.68 mi SW of La Feria to 6.12 mi S of Stuart Place
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
26.123, -97.861

High standing water due to a total of 7 to 12 inches of rainfall that fell directly from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna from late on July 25th through early afternoon on July 26th continued to close roads and stand in neighborhoods, fields, and ditches through the end of July in western Cameron County, from the Cameron/Hidalgo and Cameron/Willacy County lines through the west side of Harlingen. An additional 2 to 5 inches fell during the late afternoon and early evening of July 27th from an unrelated tropical rain band, leaving total rainfall of 10 to 15 inches in the area.

A combination of the heavy rain with known drainage capacity issues in the form of pumps, pipes, and retention kept water levels ranging from 18 inches to four feet deep on at least a dozen roads, including portions of SR 107 around Santa Rosa as well as along Farm-to-Market Road 506 between La Feria and Santa Rosa, continuing north to near the Willacy County line and east to near Primera and Palm Valley. Fields saw similar water levels, and low lying neighborhoods had high water near homes, with spot-built farm homes seeing some water inside. Santa Rosa to La Feria had similar high water for a third straight summer. | |Another round of heavy rainfall of 1 to 4 inches arrived during the evening of August 1st, prolonging the high water for a few more days into the following month, before dry weather arrived and allowed all water to recede.

Note: Public Assistance (which includes damage to roads and bridges) and Crop damage is listed on the Flash Flood event in western Cameron County for brevity. Individual assistance and insured damage estimated from the National Flood Insurance Program of FEMA, which was estimated at nearly $10 million, was added to the flash flood entry for Cameron County for brevity, as mentioned above.

Flood, Hidalgo

When
July 26, 6:00 PM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Hidalgo County, 0.08 mi WSW of Mercedes Old Reb Arp to 1.29 mi NE of La Villa
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
26.170, -97.871

High standing water due to a total of 7 to 10 inches of rainfall that fell directly from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna from late on July 25th through early afternoon on July 26th continue to close roads and stand in neighborhoods, fields, and ditches through the end of July between the east side of Edinburg and the Cameron/Willacy/Hidalgo County line. An additional 3 to 5 inches fell during the late afternoon and early evening of July 27th from an unrelated tropical rain band, leaving total rainfall of 10 to 15 inches in the area. Conditions began to improve on the west end of the flood area by July 30th, including areas west of North Donna.

A combination of the heavy rain with known drainage capacity issues in the form of pumps, pipes, and retention kept water levels ranging from 18 inches to four feet deep on at least a dozen roads, including portions of SR 107 into La Villa as well as neighborhoods along and east of Veterans Blvd. from Pharr to east of Edinburg out to Elsa/Edcouch and near Monte Alto. Fields saw similar water levels, and low lying neighborhoods had high water near homes, with spot-built farm homes seeing some water inside. This included a number of colonias where streets remained flooded with 1 to 3 feet of water for days after the rain ended. For a third straight summer, the Las Brisas neighborhood in northeast Weslaco had 1 to 3 feet of water in streets and curbsides, with at least two homes with 6 inches to a foot of water inside. | |Another round of torrential rains on August 1st would keep the high waters going a bit longer mainly in areas along and east of FM 1015 (Weslaco to Elsa and points east) before dry weather allowed all water to recede.

Note: Public Assistance (which includes damage to roads and bridges) and Crop damage is listed on the Flash Flood event in western Cameron County for brevity. Individual assistance and insured damage from flooding in this area was likely to be in the millions of dollars. A value of nearly $23 million was added for privately insured damage, as reported through the National Flood Insurance Program through FEMA, to the flash flood entry in Hidalgo County.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Tropical Storm, Southern Hidalgo County2020-07-2882MaleOutside/Open AreasIndirect
Tropical Storm, Southern Hidalgo County2020-07-2734FemalePermanent HomeIndirect
Tropical Storm, Southern Hidalgo County2020-07-2733MalePermanent HomeIndirect
Tropical Storm, Southern Hidalgo County2020-07-2717FemalePermanent HomeIndirect
Tropical Storm, Southern Hidalgo County2020-07-2711MalePermanent HomeIndirect

What these are

Hurricane (Typhoon)
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or more, filed per forecast zone for its wind, and with separate events for its flooding, surge and tornadoes.
Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).
Storm Surge/Tide
Water pushed ashore above the normal tide by a storm’s winds and low pressure.
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.
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.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2020Warnings in Texas, July 2020The 2020 hurricane season

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: 913711, 913712, 913730, 913731, 914160, 914320, 914328, 914165, 914181, 914182, 914179, 914183, 914438, 914453, 914463, 914434, 914459, 914333, 914481, 916799, 914484.