A significant flash flooding event began across South Texas on June 15, 2026 as an exceptionally moist tropical air mass overspread the region ahead of a slow-moving frontal boundary and an upper-level disturbance lifting out of northern Mexico. 7 inch range, near or above daily record levels and roughly three standard deviations above normal for mid-June.
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.
A significant flash flooding event began across South Texas on June 15, 2026 as an exceptionally moist tropical air mass overspread the region ahead of a slow-moving frontal boundary and an upper-level disturbance lifting out of northern Mexico. Deep tropical moisture associated with the remnants of former Tropical Storm Cristina and a developing low-pressure area near the Texas coast pushed precipitable water values into the 2.3-2.7 inch range, near or above daily record levels and roughly three standard deviations above normal for mid-June. At the same time, abundant instability, saturated atmospheric profiles, and deep warm cloud layers supported highly efficient rainfall production, with rainfall rates frequently reaching 2-4 inches per hour and locally approaching 5 inches per hour. A slow-moving mesoscale convective system that had developed farther north sagged southward into South Texas while repeated bands of thunderstorms trained over the same locations along the frontal boundary and zones of strong low-level moisture convergence. Weak steering currents and persistent inflow from the Gulf allowed storms to repeatedly redevelop over affected areas, producing localized rainfall totals of 3-5 inches in only a few hours and ultimately widespread totals of 4-8 inches. The combination of extreme rainfall rates, repeated training convection, and prolonged moisture transport resulted in dangerous flash flooding across portions of the Coastal Plains, Coastal Bend, Rio Grande Valley, and surrounding areas.
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 Jun 15, 12:56 PM CST, 3 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
156 PM CDT Mon Jun 15 2026
...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 154 PM CDT Mon Jun 15 2026
- A Flood Watch is in effect through Thursday morning.
- Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) of excessive rainfall/flash
flooding through Wednesday morning, mainly near the coast.
Rainfall rates of 2-4"/hour are possible, with rainfall totals
forecast to average 4-8 inches across much of the Coastal
Plains.
- Trough of low pressure could meander into the northwest Gulf
late Tuesday, where environmental conditions appear marginally
conducive for the formation of a short-lived tropical storm. NHC
highlights a 40% chance of tropical development over the next
48 hours. In response, moderate to strong winds could develop
over the coastal waters, with gusts possibly to Gale.
- Moderate to high risk of rip currents each day. Elevated tides
may lead to coastal flooding, especially on Wednesday/Thursday.
- A Moderate to Major (levels 2-3 of 4) Heat Risk is forecast
Thursday and Friday. Heat Advisories may be needed.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 154 PM CDT Mon Jun 15 2026
We have now made it into the prolonged and potentially significant
heavy rainfall event we've been messaging, as a deep tropical
airmass blankets the region. A slow-moving frontal boundary
settling southward, combined with an upper-level disturbance
lifting out of northern Mexico and the remnants of former eastern
Pacific Tropical Storm Cristina, will support repeated rounds of
showers and thunderstorms capable of producing excessive rainfall
and dangerous flash flooding. Atmospheric moisture content will
reach anomalously high levels for mid-June, with PWATs climbing
into the 2.30-2.75 inch range, approaching or exceeding daily
climatological records. Our special 12Z sounding this morning
indicated ~2.50 inches which is roughly 3 standard deviations
above normal for this time of year, with our 18Z sounding values
coming in at ~2.40 inches. This deeply saturated tropical profile
will allow for an extremely efficient rainfall-producing
environment, where storms will be capable of rainfall rates
between 2-4 inches per hour, with isolated rates approaching 5
inches per hour at times. Weak steering flow and persistent low-
level convergence along the aforementioned boundary will favor
slow-moving and training convection, particularly across the
northern Coastal Plains, Victoria Crossroads, and near the coast.
As the upper-level disturbance gradually lifts northeastward through
Tuesday and Wednesday, models continue to indicate the development
of a weak surface low near the Texas coast that may eventually move
northward through the western Gulf. The eventual track and intensity
of this low will play a major role in determining the duration and
placement of the heaviest rainfall. Current guidance favors a track
close enough to the coast to prolong periods of heavy rain,
especially across the Coastal Plains and Coastal Bend, where
repeated bands of convection will likely persist through midweek.
NHC has indicated a medium formation chance over the next 48 hours
(40%) and over the next 7 days (50%).
Regardless of tropical cyclone formation, rainfall totals through
Wednesday are forecast to average 4-8 inches across much of the
Coastal Plains and areas along and south of Laredo-to-Victoria line,
with widespread amounts of 2-4 inches farther inland and northwest.
Localized totals approaching or exceeding 10 inches remain possible
where persistent training bands develop. WPC continues to highlight
much of the CWA in a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) for excessive
rainfall and flash flooding through at least early Wednesday
morning, emphasizing the increasing potential for significant and
potentially life-threatening flash flooding. This will particularly
be the case in urban areas, low-lying locations, and places
experiencing repeated rounds of heavy rainfall as rainfall
intensities of this magnitude will quickly overwhelm drainage
systems and flash flood guidance thresholds. Small creeks and
streams may rise rapidly, and localized river flooding is
increasingly likely as runoff accumulates through the week.
Aside from the flooding threat, periods of gusty southeasterly winds
are possible near the coast, particularly Tuesday night through
Thursday night as the aforementioned coastal low evolves over the
western Gulf. The exact magnitude of the wind threat remains
dependent on the eventual organization and track of the low, though
locally hazardous marine conditions, such as elevated tides, coastal
flooding, and a moderate to high risk of rip currents, are expected
along area beaches. Beachgoers are encouraged to exercise caution
and avoid jetties and piers where rip currents are often strongest.
Temperatures through midweek will generally remain near to slightly
below seasonal normals due to extensive cloud cover and widespread
rainfall. However, conditions will remain very humid, and any breaks
in rainfall later this week could allow heat indices to quickly
rebound across inland areas. The greatest risk appears to be
Thursday, as widespread heat indices of 110-115 degrees are
forecast, with portions of the Coastal Bend potentially reaching 115-
120 degrees. Lingering moisture and additional disturbances aloft
may continue to support isolated to scattered showers into the
weekend.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 154 PM CDT Mon Jun 15 2026
Ongoing showers and thunderstorms will continue to increase in
coverage through the TAF cycle. Heavy rainfall will contribute to
IFR/LIFR visibility and ceilings. Otherwise, VFR to MVFR conditions
are expected through 21Z, when MVFR ceilings and visibility will
prevail. Conditions will further deteriorate late tonight into the
early morning hours, with IFR/LIFR conditions expected.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 154 PM CDT Mon Jun 15 2026
A moderate to fresh (BF 4-5) onshore flow will persist through the
next couple of days before increasing to fresh and possibly strong
(BF 5-6) by midweek. There is a medium chance (40%) for tropical
development as a disturbance currently over northeastern Mexico
moves out over the western Gulf sometime during the next 48 hours.
This could produce stronger winds than currently forecast if it
develops. Additionally, current seas of 3-4 feet will increase to 5-
9 feet in response to this possible tropical development. Expect
widespread showers and storms through at least midweek. However,
lingering moisture and additional disturbances aloft may continue to
support isolated to scattered showers into the weekend.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi 77 82 75 90 / 90 90 70 40
Victoria 74 82 74 88 / 90 90 70 50
Laredo 74 85 73 94 / 90 80 20 0
Alice 74 81 73 90 / 90 90 50 30
Rockport 79 85 78 90 / 90 90 80 40
Cotulla 73 85 73 93 / 80 70 10 0
Kingsville 75 80 73 89 / 100 90 60 30
Navy Corpus 79 85 78 90 / 90 90 80 40
&&
.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Flood Watch through Thursday morning for TXZ229>234-239>247-
342>347-442-443-447.
GM...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...LS/77
AVIATION...KRF/98The Corpus Christi radar (KCRP), 13 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:58 UTC.
20 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Report from mPING: Street/road flooding; Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
FM-70 to Chapman Ranch Road closed due to flooding as shown on DriveTexas. Time estimated.
Car submerged and stranded due to high water over road under bridge.
Flooded roads around McArdle and Kostoryz.
Report from mPING: Street/road flooding; Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
Flood reported over Business Highway 77 north of Robstown on DriveTX interactive map. Time estimated from radar.
Water was reported on the road via Law Enforcement.
Water was reported on the road via Law Enforcement.
County Road 44 / County Road 83 closed due to high water near Banquete.
FM 1889 and CR 48 flooded and closed.
Water 4 feet deep near exit at Labonte Park / I-37.
Highway 286 flooded and closed near CR 18.
Social media report of flooding over Highway 44 near Robstown High School.
CR 44 flooded and closed near CR 69.
Fast moving water over FM 1352 near FM 2508 east of Ben Bolt.
FM 70 flooded and closed near Highway 286.
Water over road at CR 211 east of Hwy 281.
Report from mPING: Street/road flooding; Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
Four feet of water inundation reported at the intersection of Market Street and Business Hwy 35.
Roads flooded between Magnolia Street and Austin Street.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, June 2026
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: 1332572, 1332573, 1332574, 1332575, 1332576, 1332577, 1332578, 1332579, 1332580, 1332581, 1332583, 1332585, 1332586, 1332587, 1332588, 1332589, 1332590, 1332591, 1332592, 1332593.