Flash Flood — Lubbock, Texas

2015-05-28 · near Shallowater Arpt, Lubbock, Texas

Wider weather episode

Following a round of severe storms and heavy rain the night prior, strong and severe thunderstorms developed late this morning over the southwest South Plains before expanding in coverage as they spread east throughout the afternoon. Much of this activity was driven by strong moisture advection in advance of an upper impulse. A particularly intense storm in southern Lynn County redeveloped to the southeast over time and produced a vivid tornado just south of O'Donnell in nearby Dawson County (NWS Midland's forecast area). Although hail and high winds were rather common place, by far the worst byproduct of these slow-moving storms was widespread flooding throughout Lubbock county. Flash flooding was reported in Shallowater and Lubbock where dozens of cars became stranded in high water from rainfall rates measured as high as eight inches per hour. In Shallowater, just over four inches of rain fell in 30 minutes and proceeded to flood about 75 homes with up to six inches of water. Total damage to floors, walls and personal property could reach $10 million. A total of 6.93 inches of rain was measured by a NWS employee in Shallowater by early evening. One car in Shallowater was swept off the road by flowing water and carried about 100 yards in a bar ditch that transformed into a raging creek. Fortunately, the occupant was not injured. In Lubbock, five high water rescues were reported after motorists became stranded in high water. The flooding also inundated four floors at the UMC Hospital which proceeded to damage some medical records.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 568833. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.