Violent thunderstorm hits Tamaulipas - Texas border region with 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain in 4 hours

Violent thunderstorms hit Tamaulipas, Mexico - Texas, US border region on June 24, 2019, dumping more than 300 mm (12 inches) of rain in 4 hours. 

One person died in the municipality of Reynosa, Mexico where floods damaged roads, homes and other buildings in over 50 neighborhoods.

A severe thunderstorm produced sporadic straight line wind damage from Monte Alto to portions of north Elsa during the evening of June 24 with estimated peak winds up to 120 km/h (75 mph), NWS Brownsville said.

Persistent rain bands dumped up to 300 mm (12 inches) of rainfall, with a large swath of 150 - 300 mm (6 - 12 inches) across Weslaco-Harlingen-Raymondville.

Around 50 people were evacuated from flooded homes in Harlingen, Cameron County, TX.

Unexpected rain event caused flash flooding in several areas of the City of Harlingen, Cameron County,  city officials said. 

"The heavy rainfall temporarily exceeded the five-year designed capacity of the City’s interior storm drainage system. Weather reports indicate more than 317.5 mm (12.5 inches) of rain pounded Harlingen within a 3-4 hour time period. This amount of rainfall is classified between a 100 - 500-year storm event."

Featured image credit: Texas Game Warden