Flash Flood — Jeff Davis, Texas

2014-09-12 · near Ft Davis, Jeff Davis, Texas

Event narrative

Heavy rain fell across Jeff Davis County and produced flash flooding at the Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch. A major flash flood came down from Goat Cave Creek and it was described as larger than anything experienced in the last 30 years. The flash flood damaged the pool shower house, pushed rocks and boulders into the pool, and washed out the pool slab. Large trees between the Old Folks Home and the pool were washed out, and there was water damage to the Ranger's house, Buffalo Hall, and the Dining Hall. Two jeeps, Kawasaki Mules, and four ATV's were submerged. The shop area was flooded leaving large amounts of silt and rocks. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate.

Wider weather episode

There was a cold front near the Pecos River on the eleventh which provided a source of convergence and lift. This front shifted north over the central and northern Permian Basin as well as southeast New Mexico that night. The atmosphere was very moist and unstable. There were weak winds aloft which allowed for slower moving storms and rain contributing to flash flooding. Another cold front moved through the area on the twelfth. Upper level disturbances were also over the region which allowed for more atmospheric lift. These conditions combined to produce flash flooding across southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.8122, -103.9468)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 539393. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.