PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (TX) Flooding from Tropical Storm Beta

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 18:55:17 EDT

Summary: USGS crews have been responding to flooding as a result of rainfall from Tropical Storm Beta.

Tropical Storm Beta made landfall late Monday night near Matagorda, Texas, which is located at the mouth of the Colorado River. The storm has since been downgraded to Tropical Depression Beta. The storm caused elevated tides along the Texas Gulf Coast and into western Louisiana throughout this past weekend. Since landfall, bands of heavy rainfall have been training along the Texas coast and inland, resulting in widespread rainfall amounts of 9 to 13 inches. Additional rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are possible overnight, with higher amounts of 10 inches are possible.

Nine USGS streamgages in Southeast Texas are currently above NWS Flood Levels. No streamgages have been damaged during the event.

Today, 4 teams of hydrographers made high-flow discharge measurements at 10 streamgages in the Houston metropolitan area. Streams in the San Jacinto River Basin that are currently experiencing high-flow conditions include Brays Bayou, Sims Bayou, Buffalo Bayou, Greens Bayou, and Whiteoak Bayou. Coastal streams being effected include Clear Creek and Chocolate Bayou.

Additional measurements will be made tomorrow if significant rainfall falls overnight. Currently, no indirect discharge measurements are anticipated.

USGS has coordinated with the NWS and Corps of Engineers, as well as local cooperators such as the Harris County Flood Control District.