Flash Flood — Presidio, Texas

2008-09-09 to 2008-09-29 · near Presidio, Presidio, Texas

Event narrative

On September 9, the levees near Redford, TX failed. This resulted in water covering the entire city of Redford. A high water rescue was reported near Alamito Creek.

Heavy rain made matters worse by September 14. Flash flooding was occurring in the city of Presidio and border patrol closed the International Bridge on September 16. The Mexican side of the bridge was covered in water and levels continue to rise. Water also topped the levees near Presidio Golf Course on the 16th and 17th. Border patrol reported that nearly 15 feet of water was located in the fields near the golf course, with 3 to 4 feet of water covering the golf course itself.

The International Boundary and Water Commission reported cracks in the levees near the golf course on September 17 and water was beginning to approach Presidio High School.

Wider weather episode

During the summer of 2008, monsoon rainfall filled reservoirs across northern Mexico. In late August 2008, releases out of La Boquilla, Frank Madera, and Luis Leon Reservoirs were increased to lower water levels in those reservoirs. By mid-September the Rio Grande and its people were experiencing record flooding. On September 7, Governor Perry executed the State Emergency Plan. He then issued a Disaster Declaration for Presidio County, TX on September 18 and finally a Proclamation of State Disaster on the 19th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (29.5761, -104.4027)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 137025. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.