updated 6/28/97

HEAVY RAINS AFFECT CENTRAL/SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS CAUSING FLOODING AS SUMMER OF 97 BEGINS

Weather Events of June 21 to 23, 1997

On Friday afternoon, June 20th, an area of showers and thunderstorms developed in west Texas, then moved east to parts of Central and South Central Texas Friday night and early Saturday morning. Serious flooding developed early Saturday morning June 21 over South Central and Central Texas, as a low aloft formed over the western Texas Hill Country. The summer season this year in the northern hemisphere officially began at 3:20 am cdt, June 21.

During the day Saturday, the rain spread east, affecting a large part of South Central Texas, the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas. Areas of heavy rain caused numerous reports of flooding Saturday morning west and southwest of San Antonio to parts of San Antonio, then east to Gonzales, Curero and Yorktown, and north to Bandera and Fredricksburg. Heavy rains also moved into the Austin area late Saturday morning and early afternoon, causing some street flooding.

Rain from scattered showers and thunderstorms continued to develop Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, Saturday night and Sunday, associated with the low pressure system aloft over the western Texas Hill Country. Very heavy rains fell over the Texas Hill Country Saturday night and early Sunday morning, causing widespread flooding on and near roads, rivers, and streams. The heavy rains affected San Antonio Sunday morning and moved into the Austin area in the later morning.

On Sunday afternoon and evening scattered areas of showers and thunderstorms affected South Central and Central Texas, plus the Texas Hill Country as the low aloft moved north toward North Texas.

Rainfall amounts with this rain event varied from near 9 to near 21 inches over the Texas Hill Country, and between 5 and near 10 inches over Central and South Central Texas.

This early summer rain event caused extensive flooding along rivers and streams, especially in the Hill Country, plus in other low lying areas and on roads. Most, if not all, Central and South Central Texas Rivers continue to carry the runoff toward the Gulf of Mexico at near flood stage.

During floods and flash floods:

• Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding
• If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your
  ankles, STOP! Turn around and go another way.
• If you approach a low water crossing or other low lying area
  that can be subject to a rapid surge/rise of water, DO NOT CROSS the
  low water crossing. Turn around and go another way.
  
• DO NOT ATTEMPT to drive over a flooded road. The depth
  of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out
  under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped.
  
• If the vehicle stalls, LEAVE IT IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK HIGHER GROUND.
  Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and its occupants and sweep them
  away. Remember, it is better to be wet than dead!
  
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
  
• Children should NEVER PLAY around high water, storm drains,
  viaducts, or arroyos.
  
• If you are in a low lying area during heavy tropical/middle latitude
  rain events, GO TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
  
• After a heavy rain event, REMEMBER that ADDITIONAL RAIN that
  does not normally produce flooding, WILL OR COULD PRODUCE flooding,
  because the ground is saturated, making for easier runoff into
  low lying areas.
  
• REMEMBER in floods and flash floods, DO THINGS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!
  Stay safely away from flood waters. Water has tremendous force, whether it is
  flowing or not flowing.