Flash Flood — Cameron, Texas

2004-05-08 · near San Benito, Cameron, Texas

Event narrative

Slow-moving thunderstorms with torrential rainfall developed over central and eastern Cameron county. In fact, the previous daily rainfall record was shattered when 4.56 inches of rain was reported at the Brownsville-South Padre Island Airport. This amount paled in comparison to the rain that was experienced along an axis extending from central and western sections of Brownsville north and northwest through Lost Fresnos, Olmito, Rancho Viejo and up through San Benito. Locations within this axis experienced anywhere from 5 to 9 inches of rainfall over a period of appoximately 3-4 hours.The area of heaviest rain occurred in western Brownsville where numerous homes experienced flooding. Approximately 170 homes in central and western Brownsville received at least minor flooding, as did many of the city's resacas. Flooding of homes and businesses was also reported in Los Fresnos, and in homes between Los Fresnos and San Benito. An estimated 200-250 homes were affected by flooding, and the standing water resulted in many road closures across the county, especially in the Brownsville area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5416363. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.