Record-breaking rainfall causes widespread flooding, 6 people dead in Texas, US

Extreme weather conditions continued in the US over the Memorial Day weekend. Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall have triggered widespread flash flooding across parts of the southern Plains. The flooding event in Texas claimed 6 lives so far and prompted emergency evacuations across the affected areas. Numerous homes and bridges suffered damage, and traffic was disrupted.

More than 457.2 mm (18 inches) of precipitation was recorded in Brenham, Texas in a 24 hour period between May 26 and 27, setting a new daily rainfall record, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). 486.16 mm (19.14 inches) was measured just east of the city, at the same time while 223.3 mm (8.79 inches) was received by the Austin-Bergstrom Airport. May 26 was the second wettest day reported at the Airport since 1942.

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Widespread rainfall caused major river and creeks to swell. Floodwaters swept the area near Spring Creek on the north side of the Houston metro during May 27 and 28, as the local river reached its maximum level almost 4 m (13 feet) higher than its daily peak level exactly one year ago. Residents near Peach Creek, in the West Fork of the San Jacinto River northeast of downtown Houston, and along the Trinity River at Liberty have been warned to expect floods.

A new all-time record water level was broken at the Davidson Creek near Lyons, beating the previous one, set in October 1994. The Brazos River near Hempstead also measured the second highest level since December 1913.

Several homes near Smithville were also flooded by the Colorado River while the crests in La Grange and Columbus measured between 0.6 and 1.5 m (2 and 5 feet) above the levels recorded in May 2015. The homes situated on the west side of the city could also experience flooding on May 31.

Image credit: DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP/Weather Prediction Center

Image credit: DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP/Weather Prediction Center

Image credit: DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP/Weather Prediction Center

The local authorities in Rosenberg, south of Houston have issued mandatory evacuations for all the residents on May 29. Cynthia McConthy, the city's major, has officially declared a state of disaster a day before.

The Simonton town, also ordered a mandatory evacuation on May 28, as the Brazos River is expected to reach its record maximum level of over 16 m (53 feet) by May 31.

According to the NWS, more severe thunderstorms and flash floods are possible across parts of the central and northern Plains and Upper Midwest region until June 1.

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