Flash Flood — Howard, Texas

2000-03-22 to 2000-03-23 · near Countywide, Howard, Texas

Wider weather episode

Almost all of Howard County received at least 2.5" of rain overnight with the southern and eastern parts of the county getting in excess of 6". Doppler radar estimates of up to 11.5" of rain were estimated in southeastern Howard County. In addition to these rains, heavy rains in northern Glasscock County contributed the flooding problems as well with waters flowing northward in Mustang Draw.A mother and her two children were swept off FM 818 at the Mustang Draw crossing (12 miles southwest of Big Spring). Although the rains had ended about 5 hours before, flood waters still raged through this draw as they attempted to cross at about 7:30 am. The mother was taken about 1/2 mile downstream but was able to reach ground, however, neither of the children survived. The daughter's body was found after officials and voluteers searched for 12 hours, but the boy's body was located over a week later--after the official search had been called off. The mother was treated for hypothermia and released.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5137677. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.