Flash Flood — Lynn, Texas

2023-06-01 · near Odonnell, Lynn, Texas

Event narrative

Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall became anchored over Lynn County during the mid-morning hours. The Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near O'Donnell measured 7.02 inches of rainfall. The intense rain rates and amount of rainfall resulted in the closure of a portion of US Highway 87 between O'Donnell and Tahoka. Numerous water rescues were completed and many vehicles became stranded in the flood waters.

Wider weather episode

Rich moisture, a weak upper level disturbance, and several low-level boundaries worked in concert to bring torrential rainfall to portions of the south-central and southeastern South Plains on the first. One of the primary factors, in addition to the plentiful moisture, was a low-level boundary, originating from thunderstorm activity that affected the Texas Panhandle the previous evening into the overnight hours, that provided a focus for shower and thunderstorm development. Widespread and intense thunderstorms became anchored over the south-central South Plains including a good portion of Lynn County. Torrential rainfall rates continued for nearly two hours, from around 0830 CST to 1030 CST, before finally diminishing, then ending completely by early afternoon. The Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near O'Donnell measured 7.02 inches, much of which fell in the two hour window from mid to late morning. The area of heaviest thunderstorms eventually shifted northeastward late morning and early afternoon, dropping widespread three to four inch totals from Tahoka (Lynn County) to Post (Garza County). The intense rainfall rates and impressive rain totals led to significant flash flooding that affected much of US Highway 87 between Tahoka and Lamesa as well as US Highway 380 from Tahoka to east of Post. The rapid onset of flooding resulted in numerous vehicles becoming inundated by water on the highways and ultimately resulted in the closure of portions of US Highways 87 and 380 from the first into the second. Many water rescues occurred and many vehicles were stranded.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.9600, -101.9299)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1097760. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.