| YEAR |
DATE(s) |
EVENT |
| 2004 |
21st |
Widespread major flooding occurred across much of Jackson and Wharton counties. Ariel rescues had to be done in Edna
and Ganado (Jackson County). In Ganado, only Main Street was passable. Seventy-nine homes and businesses received minor to major flood damage
in the two cities. In Wharton County, evacuations were needed - more than 200 El Campo residents were rescued by boat or high-water vehicles.
Countywide, 59 homes sustained major damage and 225 homes had minor damage. Total damage costs were around $2.6 million. |
| 2003 |
17th |
A series of tornadic thunderstorms ravaged much of southeast Texas. The storms developed over parts of
Wharton and Matagorda counties shortly after sunrise with the first confirmed tornado occurring just east of El Campo around 9:00 am.
Before the day ended, there were 24 tornadoes. Major
flooding across Harris and surrounding counties occurred during the middle of the tornado outbreak. More than 300 homes and
hundreds of vehicles were flooded. By the end of the event, there were 72 injuries and 1 fatality. For more detailed
information, see our Southeast Texas November 17, 2003 Tornado Outbreak
page. |
| 2002 |
4th-5th |
Flash flooding across much of Southeast Texas resulted in numerous road closures due to the high
water across extremely saturated grounds. Total damage costs were close to $500,000. |
| 2000 |
5th-6th |
A powerful squall line associated with a strong cold front quickly swept across Southeast Texas
during the night hours of the 5th and early morning ours of the 6th. This was one of the most significant severe weather
events of the year. Wind damage was widespread with heavy rainfall and flash flooding occurring
across the northern part of Southeast Texas. Two tornadoes occurred - an F1 near Conroe (Montgomery County)
and an F0 near Shepherd (San Jacinto County). Total damage costs were around $1.5 million. |
| 2000 |
2nd-4th |
A stationary front draped across Southeast Texas provided the focus for very heavy rainfall
and flash flooding across the northern part of the area from the evening of the 2nd through the morning of the
4th. Rainfall totals of 7 to 10 inches were common. The most severe flooding occurred in the Bryan and Kurten
areas (Brazos County). These heavy rains busted severe
drought conditions that had plagued the area for months. Total damage costs were $3.4 million, $2 million of
which occurred across Brazos County. |
| 1998 |
12th-14th |
On the 12th upper level moisture from the
Pacific Ocean interacted with low level moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and an approaching
upper level storm from the west producing widespread heavy rainfall and flooding over
Southeast Texas during the afternoon and evening hours. Rainfall amounts across the area
averaged 5 to 7 inches with large areas receiving 7 to 9 inches and isolated amounts in excess
of 10 inches. The underlying soil moisture was very high from heavy rains the previous month
so considerable runoff was produced. Significant rises occurred on most rivers and streams in
the Houston/Galveston county warning area beginning during the late night and early morning
hours of the 12th and the 13th. 4 to 6 inches of rain over the Trinity River basin produces
rapid rises during the early morning hours of the 13th. Moderate lowland flooding occurred on
the Trinity River main stem for several days. Long King Creek in Livingston experienced major
flooding with water levels in excess of 30 feet (flooding begins at 19 feet). Moderate flooding
also occurred in Menard Creek near Rye as well as Bedias Creek near Madisonville. Flooding on
these tributaries lasted for a few days. Residents of several subdivisions along the Trinity
River above Liberty were advised to evacuate. Major Cypress Creek during the evening hours of
the 12th with significant rise observed on the West and East Forks of the San Jacinto River,
Spring Creek, Caney Creek and Luce Bayou during the morning hours of the 13th. Flooding
continued for several days. Over 200 homes were flooded along Cypress and Spring Creeks
and the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. Numerous roads in Harris and Montgomery counties
were inundated and closed during this event. Along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River
the community of Plum Grove in Liberty County was severely impacted with several homes flooded
and teo major roads into the community closed for more than 24 hours. The community of Patton
Village in Montgomery County alos experienced major flooding. Significant flooding also
occurred below Lake Houston in the communities of Magnolia Gardens, Banana Bend, and Highland
Shores. During the early morning hours of the 14th, 3 to 5 inches of rain over Clear Creek
(along the Harris/Galveston county line) produced a rapid rise. Moderate flooding occurred
during the afternoon and evening hours. The creek was within banks by the morning of the 15th.
Several homes in Friendswood were flooded. Moderate lowland flooding occurred on the
Lower Brazos River below Rosharon to below West Columbia. Significant backwater flooding was
observed on Varner Creek in Barzoria County. No homes were flooded but several minor roads were
inundated. Moderate flooding was also observed on East and Middle Yegua Creeks with minor
lowland flooding on the Navasota River near Normangee. Significant flooding occurred on Mill
Creek in Austin County with several roads inundated and closed. Major lowland flooding occurred
once again on the San Bernard River above Highway 60 near wallsi to below Sweeny. No homes were
flooded, but several major roads were closed. Evacuation of the El Lobo subdivision in Wharton
County was recommended. Barge traffic to the Phillips Petroleum facility near Sweeny was halted
for several days. In Fort bend County, FM 2919 near the Tierra Grande subdivision had water to
the bottom of the bridge. Minor flooding also occurred on Chocolate bayou near Alvin, on the
Tres Palacios River in Matagorda County and on East Mustang Creek in Wharton County. Significant
rises were also observed on the Brazos River in the channel above Bryan to below Richmond and on
the Colorado River above Columbus to below Bay City. However, flood stages were not exceeded and
only minor inundation of low areas along these rivers was reported. Fortunately, no deaths were
reported in this flood event, however it was the second major flood event on many of these
watersheds in less than one month. |
| 1997 |
5th |
Thunderstorm winds and small hail occurred
during the early morning hours across Galveston Island. Winds downed powerlines and overturned
an 18-wheeler at Harborside Drive and Avenue A, blew off a hotel roof on 61st Street, blew out
windows at the Moody Center on the Seawall, and destroyed a garden shed at a nursery on 32nd
Street. A couple hours later, additional thunderstorms produced large hail and flash flooding
across Houston and Trinity Counties, especially in the Crockett and Groveton areas. |
| 1996 |
7th |
A Thunderstorm winds Over $100,000 in
damage stretched across portions of nearly all counties along and north of Interstate 10 where
trees and powerlines were downed and homes were damaged. |
| 1996 |
16th-17th |
A tight pressure gradient produced strong east
winds that caused coastal flooding and beach erosion along the Upper Texas Coast. Tides
ranged from 3 to 5 feet above predicted astronomical levels. Roads were damaged and beachfront
homes had their foundations undercut. Total damage was $700,000. |
| 1995 |
2nd |
Golf ball size hail was reported in Pearland (Brazoria County) by the Sheriff's office. |
| 1993 |
16th |
A supercell thunderstorm produced an F1
Tornado out ahead of an advancing squall line. The tornado touched down just north of US
Hwy 59 and Louisiana Street in downtown Houston, traveled about two miles along Smith Street
and crossed Interstate 45 and into the highrise section of the downtown area. Emergency
Management officials reported 26 minor injuries and 30 cars damaged. The major damage
was to apartments with roof failures. About 60 windows popped out of the Enron Building, a 95
story office building.
|
| 1992 |
21st |
Probably the most dramatic tornado outbreak
in the history of the Houston area occured during the mid afternoon hours on this date.
Incredibly, not a single life was lost in this violent episode of Houston severe weather. Among
the many tornadoes was an F4 tornado in the Channelview area of Harris County. At one point, this
tornado was one mile wide. An excellent summary of this event, including the weather patterns
leading up to the tormadoes and detailed damage results can be found at the
Cluster Tornado Outbreak in Houston, TX by Tim Marshall. |
| 1987 |
15th |
A very intense upper air disturbance and
associated surface trough of low pressure moved eastward across Southeast Texas during the
afternoon and evening hours. The severe thunderstorms produced several tornadoes and several
downbursts of wind. There were four obvious tornadoes with paths up to 10 miles long.
The tornadoes killed 5 persons. The tornadoes and high winds injured another 35 people. The
worst damage was from two F2 tornadoes around Caldwell (Burleson County) and near Normangee
(Madison County). |
| 1986 |
23rd-24th |
Heavy Rains over a two day period produced
mostly minor flooding in northern Galveston and southern Harris counties. Santa Fe (Galveston
County) reported 7.50 inches of rain on the 23rd plus an additional 4 to 5 inches on the 24th.
Resulting flood waters flooded some homes in Santa Fe near Highway 646 plus some homes northward
from there towards Dickinson Bayou. All together, about a dozen homes in Santa Fe, Dickinson and
League City had water in them. Roads were flooded in Alvin, Kemah and over Highway 87 at Port
Bolivar. Streets were also flooded in south Houston, especially along Clear Creek from
Telephone Road to FM 528. Other two day rainfall totals in the area included 9.75 inches at San
Jacinto, 6.50 inches at Spring Branch and 6.06 inches at New Caney. |
weather.gov 
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