Flash Flood — Webb, Texas

2007-06-17 · near Laredo, Webb, Texas

Event narrative

A widespread 4 to 6 inches of torrential rainfall fell across Laredo during the early morning hours with localized amounts possibly up to 8 inches. 4.29 was recorded by a television station on the north side of town. 5.41 was recorded at the Laredo International Airport between 1 and 3 AM CDT before lightning knocked out the AWISS site. Widespread flash flooding occurred on many city streets and several creeks and storm drainage ditches across Laredo. Over 100 vehicles were stalled in high water and many vehicles were carried off of streets by the high water. A van with 6 family members drove into high water near Century Blvd and Loop 20. The van became buoyant and was swept into Chacon Creek shortly before 330 AM CDT. The family abandoned the van and 5 members were able to escape to higher ground, however a 14 year girl drowned in the creek. Another vehicle was also swept into the same creek. All four occupants of this vehicle were able to escape to higher ground.

The high water resulted in major damage to 18 homes and minor damage to 50 others. An unspecified number of businesses in sections of the city also had damage from the high water.

Wider weather episode

A severe thunderstorm dumped torrential rainfall across Laredo during the early morning hours of the 17th as produced high wind gusts.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.5500, -99.4700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 46093. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.