Flash Flood — Frio, Texas

2002-09-08 to 2002-09-09 · near Countywide, Frio, Texas

Event narrative

General 2 to 3 inch rainfall was indicated across the county with amounts averaging 5 inches along FM140 from Frio Town through Pearsall to the Atascosa County line. A large part of the highway from Pearsall to the Atascosa County line received up to 8 inches of rain, with isolated totals to12 inches. High water trapped people in their homes. Just under two dozen homes as well as several businesses in Pearsall received flood damage. Several cars were also flooded out. One woman was rescued from her flooded home by helicopter. Most schools in the Pearsall area were closed on Monday due roads that were blocked. Widespread damage was reported to FM140 and bridges along the highway as well as to roads in Pearsall.

Wider weather episode

Very heavy rain redeveloped in the evening hours from Hondo south to Pearsall and southeastward to Pleasanton. General rain amounts averaged near 2 inches with over 5 inches from Frio Town to Charlotte. Within the stretch from Frio Town to Charlotte, areas were indicated with up to 8 inch totals. Flash flooding over these three counties developed in the evening hours and continued just past sunrise next morning.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5320746. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.