Tropical Storm Beta began as a low pressure area over the southwest Gulf of Mexico on September 16th. This system organized into a tropical depression on the 17th as it moved slowly northward.
Every event with a place to put it; 14 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Tropical Storm Beta began as a low pressure area over the southwest Gulf of Mexico on September 16th. This system organized into a tropical depression on the 17th as it moved slowly northward. It became Tropical Storm Beta on the 18th while moving north into the northwest Gulf of Mexico. It became stationary on the 19th as steering flow collapsed. Beta moved on a slow and steady course to the west-northwest toward the Middle Texas coast on the 20th and 21st and made landfall on the southern end of the Matagorda Peninsula late on the evening of 21st. With the slow movement of Beta and higher astronomical tides, a long duration coastal flood event occurred from the 19th to early on the 23rd, with 2 to 3.5 feet of inundation occurring along the Middle Texas coast. The high tides and surge flooded several roads in Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass, Rockport, Fulton, Port O'Connor, Indianola, and Port Lavaca. Locally heavy rainfall occurred during the early morning hours of the 22nd over eastern Victoria County that produced flash flooding in Inez.
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 Sep 19, 5:29 PM CST, 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
629 PM CDT Sat Sep 19 2020
.DISCUSSION...
Update for 00Z Aviation.
&&
.AVIATION...
One last VFR night is in store before conditions begin to
deteriorate as Tropical Storm Beta approaches the coast. For
tonight, a light to moderate north-northeasterly flow will persist
with VFR ceilings. Winds will begin to increase Sunday morning
and persist through the period. Gusts around 25 knots are expected
at ALI, CRP and VCT with gusts ranging from 15-20 knots at COT
and LRD. Rain chances will start to increase at VCT late tonight
with potential outer bands from Beta impacting CRP and VCT
towards the end of the period.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 544 PM CDT Sat Sep 19 2020/
SHORT TERM (Tonight through Sunday Night)...
Generally mild and dry conditions will continue over the forecast
area tonight except for a gradual increase in moisture along the
coast during the overnight hours with isolated showers possible late.
Tropical Storm Beta has become stationary late this afternoon. The
expectation is that Beta will begin to move west-northwest later
tonight and continue through Sunday night as the mid level ridge
centered over north- central Texas shifts into Arkansas on Sunday.
Beta is still being affected by shear but an area of convection
remains near the center. Current NHC forecast keeps Beta just
below hurricane strength as it moves toward the Mid-Coast region
Sunday night as system will be affected by the drier air to the
west. Outer rain bands from Beta should begin to increase during
the day Sunday across northeastern counties. Locally heavy rain
will likely arrive Sunday night northeast of a Port Aransas to
Beeville line. With slow motion of Beta expected as the system
turns northward Tuesday, could see event totals of 5 to 8 inches
with isolated amounts from 10 to 15 inches over the Mid-Coast and
Victoria Crossroads, starting Sunday night and going into the
long term period (through Tuesday). Rainfall amounts will be lower
over the Brush Country Sunday into Sunday night as deeper
moisture from Beta will be slower to push westward.
Tide levels are running around 2 feet above expected this
afternoon. With long period swells, tides are reaching the dunes
and some beach access roads. There is also a high risk of rip
currents due to these long period swells that will continue
through Monday. Coastal flooding will remain an issue tonight
through Sunday night. See Long Term section for additional
information on Storm Surge Warning and Watch for the Middle Texas
coast.
LONG TERM (Monday through Saturday)...
Uncertainty remains fairly high in regards to the evolution and
track of Tropical Storm Beta as we head into early next week. Latest
forecast track from NHC have the system possibly making landfall
Monday night somewhere along the Middle to Upper Texas Coast.
Current data indicates Beta has remained stationary over the
northwestern Gulf, with a slow turn to the west and northwest
expected later tonight into Sunday. Concerns continue to rise across
South Texas mainly in regards to the amount of rainfall and storm
surge threat expected from Beta, due to a much slower progression of
the system. For more information about the potential rainfall refer
to the short-term section above. Dangerous storm surge conditions
are likely to occur Sunday through Tuesday, especially at the time
of high tide, with the highest threat expected across the coastal
zones north of Port Aransas on Monday. A Storm Surge Warning has
been issued and will remain in effect through Tuesday evening. Up to
2-4 feet of inundation is expected during this time frame over the
warned area. In addition, a high risk for rip currents is likely.
The overall wind forecast has trended downward, with now most
locations expected to experience high end tropical storm force winds
early next week. But, cannot rule out hurricane strength gusts
especially over portions of the northern Coastal Bend and the
Coastal Waters north of Port Aransas. Therefore, a Hurricane Watch
and a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for these zones. The
Tropical Storm Watch has been expanded, now including Bee county and
inland San Patricio, Nueces, and Kleberg counties.
Once Beta moves away of the area conditions should begin to improve
as we head in to the middle and latter part of the week. However,
will continue to carry rain chances through the remainder of the
period due to a developing mid to upper trough over the region.
MARINE...
Moderate to strong offshore flow will increase to strong tonight
as TS Beta begins to move northwest. Bands of convection expected
to move west into the offshore waters overnight and then steadily
increase through the day Sunday. Tropical storm force winds will
likely move into the northern offshore waters Sunday afternoon
and spread toward the northern bays by Sunday evening. The
Tropical Storm Warning/Hurricane Watch remain in effect for the
coastal waters north of Port Aransas, with a Tropical Storm Watch
in effect south of Port Aransas.
Dangerous marine conditions are expected through at least Tuesday
night in association to the passage of Tropical Storm Beta across
the region. Swells could range from 10-15 ft across the nearshore
waters and 15-20 ft offshore. Numerous showers and thunderstorms
will be possible Monday through Tuesday, with the activity
diminishing mid-late week.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi 68 82 71 81 71 / 20 60 70 70 50
Victoria 66 78 70 79 70 / 10 70 90 80 70
Laredo 66 87 69 80 69 / 10 20 40 40 30
Alice 66 83 71 81 70 / 10 50 70 70 50
Rockport 71 79 73 83 74 / 30 70 90 80 60
Cotulla 64 89 70 82 69 / 10 20 40 60 30
Kingsville 68 82 71 81 71 / 20 50 70 70 50
Navy Corpus 73 80 73 82 74 / 20 70 80 70 50
&&
.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Hurricane Watch For the following zones: Aransas Islands...
Calhoun Islands...Coastal Aransas...Coastal Calhoun...
Coastal Refugio.
Tropical Storm Warning For the following zones: Aransas
Islands...Calhoun Islands...Coastal Aransas...Coastal
Calhoun...Coastal Refugio...Goliad...Inland Calhoun...
Inland Refugio...Victoria.
Tropical Storm Watch For the following zones: Bee...Coastal
Kleberg...Coastal Nueces...Coastal San Patricio...Inland
Kleberg...Inland Nueces...Inland San Patricio...Kleberg
Islands...Nueces Islands.
Storm Surge Watch For the following zones: Coastal Kleberg...
Kleberg Islands...Nueces Islands.
Storm Surge Warning For the following zones: Aransas Islands...
Calhoun Islands...Coastal Aransas...Coastal Calhoun.
Flash Flood Watch from Sunday evening through Tuesday evening
For the following zones: Aransas Islands...Calhoun
Islands...Coastal Aransas...Coastal Calhoun...Coastal
Refugio...Goliad...Inland Calhoun...Inland Refugio...
Victoria.
High Rip Current Risk through Monday evening For the following
zones: Aransas Islands...Calhoun Islands...Kleberg
Islands...Nueces Islands.
GM...Hurricane Watch For the following zones: Bays and Waterways from
Port Aransas to Port O'Connor...Coastal waters from Port
Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel out 20 NM...Waters from
Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel from 20 to 60 NM.
Tropical Storm Warning For the following zones: Bays and
Waterways from Port Aransas to Port O'Connor...Coastal
waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel out 20
NM...Waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel
from 20 to 60 NM.
Tropical Storm Watch For the following zones: Bays and Waterways
from Baffin Bay to Port Aransas...Coastal waters from
Baffin Bay to Port Aransas out 20 NM...Waters from Baffin
Bay to Port Aransas from 20 to 60 NM.
&&
TC/95...AVIATIONHazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX 1226 PM CDT Sat Sep 19 2020 TXZ229>234-239>247-342>347-442-443-447-201730- La Salle-McMullen-Live Oak-Bee-Goliad-Victoria-Webb-Duval- Jim Wells-Inland Kleberg-Inland Nueces-Inland San Patricio- Coastal Aransas-Inland Refugio-Inland Calhoun-Coastal Kleberg- Coastal Nueces-Coastal San Patricio-Aransas Islands- Coastal Refugio-Coastal Calhoun-Kleberg Islands-Nueces Islands- Calhoun Islands- 1226 PM CDT Sat Sep 19 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for South Texas. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight High Risk of Rip Currents for the gulf-facing beaches of the Middle Texas Coast today and tonight. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the islands and coastal counties from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Aransas Islands, Calhoun Islands, Coastal Aransas, Coastal Calhoun, Coastal Refugio, Inland Calhoun, and Inland Refugio. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the islands and coastal counties south of Port Aransas. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for coastal regions, including the bays, from Baffin Bay to Port O'Connor. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected Sunday through Tuesday. Scattered thunderstorms are also possible Wednesday through Thursday. Heavy rainfall is likely which may lead to localized flooding, especially across the Coastal Bend and Victoria Crossroads. High Risk of Rip Currents is expected to continue through Sunday and possibly linger through mid week next week. Hazardous conditions are expected to continue through mid week next week due to the approach of Tropical Storm Beta. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. GMZ230-235-250-255-270-275-201730- 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- 1226 PM CDT Sat Sep 19 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for the Middle Texas Coastal Waters. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through 4 PM today. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the bays and gulf waters from Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel out to 60 NM. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the bays and gulf waters Port Aransas to Matagorda Ship Channel out to 60 NM. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the bays and gulf waters south of Port Aransas out to 60 NM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Hazardous winds and seas are expected for the bays and gulf waters through mid week next week due to the approach of Tropical Storm Beta. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. 87
The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 50 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:02 UTC.
10 storm surge/tide, 4 tropical storm, 1 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3.5 feet of inundation during the period.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3.5 feet of inundation during the period.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3.5 feet of inundation during the period. Water reached the top of the Packery Channel boat ramp.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3 feet of inundation during the period.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3 feet of inundation during the period.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3 feet of inundation during the period. Ocean Drive Causeway was closed due to high water between Texas A&M Corpus Christi and NAS Corpus Christi. Access roads to South Padre Island Drive were flooded between Flour Bluff and North Padre Island.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3 feet of inundation during the period. Flooding occurred at Conn Brown Harbor in Aransas Pass.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3 feet of inundation during the period. Flooding occurred on Harbor Island Road just west of the ferry landing on Highway 361. Nearly a foot of water covered portions of Water Street in Rockport. Several inches of water made it into carports along Copano Ridge Drive. Water overflowed Fulton harbor onto nearby roadways.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3 feet of inundation during the period.
Tide levels ranged from 2 to 3.5 feet of inundation during the period. Ocean Drive between Magnolia Beach and Indianola was flooded from storm surge. Water was over the road on Washington, Maple, and Water Streets in Port O'Connor. Water was over the road on Farm to Market Road 1090 in Port Lavaca. Water entered into some of bait shops near the water in Port O'Connor.
Mesonet observations and radar data showed tropical storm force winds from Tropical Storm Beta during the evening of the 21st until the early morning hours of the 22nd.
Mesonet observations and radar data showed tropical storm force winds from Tropical Storm Beta during the evening of the 21st until the early morning hours of the 22nd.
Mesonet observations and radar data showed tropical storm force winds from Tropical Storm Beta during the evening of the 21st until the early morning hours of the 22nd.
Mesonet observations and radar data showed tropical storm force winds from Tropical Storm Beta during the evening of the 21st until the early morning hours of the 22nd.
Miller Field for baseball in Inez near Highway 59 and Farm to Market Road 444 was flooded with a foot of water. There were 5 residents cutoff from emergency services in their homes due to flood waters in Inez. Water was flowing over the roadway on Keeran Road at Farm to Market Road 444. A bridge on Ocelot Road in Inez was damaged.
Flood waters from rainfall up to 10 inches overnight were slow to recede in the Inez area. Up to a foot of water flooded baseball fields in Inez.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, September 2020The 2020 hurricane season
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: 921675, 921677, 921678, 921679, 921680, 921682, 921684, 921685, 921686, 921690, 921713, 921714, 921715, 921716, 921723, 921728.