PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (TX) Flooding in Central, Southeast, and Coastal Texas

Date: Fri, 09 Jul 2021 16:15:22 EDT

Summary: Over the past several days, significant rainfall has been generated by a persistent low pressure zone which has led to localized flooding along the middle Texas Gulf Coast and basins along southeast Texas.

Over the past 5 days, tropical downpours have occurred along the middle Texas Gulf Coast and have extended inland to areas of central and southeast Texas. Widespread amounts of 3 inches of rain, with some areas along the coast receiving 14 to 18 inches. Corpus Christi, Victoria, and San Antonio have experienced localized urban flash flooding as a result of these storms.

Approximately 16 USGS streamgages are currently exceeding flood stage, with many sites already peaked and receding. Additional rainfall is predicted for this evening and tonight and flooding for the coastal areas is expected to continue into the weekend. River basins currently effected are the San Bernard, Lavaca, Guadalupe, San Antonio, and Nueces.

USGS staff from the South Texas and Gulf Coast Branches have responded to the event, with approximately 10 staff out today visiting 15 streamgages, making 13 discharge measurements, and collecting 7 water-quality samples. No peaks of record have been observed and no indirect-discharge measurements are expected to be required. Effects of additional rainfall overnight will be observed and used to determine whether staff will need to respond into the weekend - currently there are no plans for weekend field activities.

Coordination has been made with local cooperators and the National Weather Service.