Flash Flood — Blanco, Texas

2007-05-02 to 2007-05-03 · near Johnson City, Blanco, Texas

Event narrative

Rainfall between Johnson City and Twin Sisters averaged from 1 to 2 inches in showers and thunderstorms, with up to 5 inches falling near Johnson City. Many of the rural roads, including FM2766, FM165, and FM32, were closed due to flash flooding. As a father and his two daughters, aged 6 and 7, attempted to drive through a low water crossing on the Blanco River just after 0500 CST on County Road 407, his pickup truck was caught in high water. He tried to back out of the water, but the current carried the vehicle across the bridge where it flipped over, landed upside down and was immediately submerged. The father grabbed onto both daughters and attempted to swim to safety, but lost his grip on the younger daughter. The father and his older daughter were able to swim to safety but the younger daughter drowned.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed in the early evening across South Central Texas, producing large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.2800, -98.4000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 33323. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.