Flash Flood — Hays, Texas

2015-05-24 · near Wimberley, Hays, Texas

Event narrative

Thunderstorms produced heavy rain that caused flash flooding. Rainfall totals of 10 to 13 inches were reported upstream in southern Blanco County and all of this water entered the Blanco River and Little Blanco River. The Fischer Store Rd. bridge over the Blanco River was destroyed by flood waters west of Wimberley. The Blanco River, down stream from the bridge, at Wimberley reached a record crest. The gauge failed at 40 feet and the USGS later estimated the crest at 44.9 feet with 175,000 cfs. This height was more than 10 feet over the previous record height of 33.3 feet from 1929. Homes along the banks of the Blanco River from the City of Blanco, through Wimberley, and down to San Marcos experienced an historic flood. Many homes were totally destroyed and swept down stream. Many homes were struck by large debris, including full size cypress trees which typically lined the banks of the river. A house in the 100 block of Deer Crossing Ln. in Wimberley was washed away in the flood with nine people inside. There was one lone survivor while eight others died. Six bodies were recovered and the two small children remain missing. Several of the bodies were recovered near San Marcos Texas nearly 30 miles downstream. Another fatality occurred when a man was washed away with his vehicle. He was 29 years old and was found on May 26 near FM 2325. A 74 year old male also drown after he was swept off his roof of his house along River Road near Wimberley. The river experienced rises that exceeded 20 feet in one hour. Estimates of insured losses are around 100 million dollars. Overall in Hays County including Wimberley and San Marcos, 321 homes were destroyed, with hundreds more heavily damaged.

Wider weather episode

An upper level shortwave trough moved around the longwave low over the Four Corners region. This upper distubance interacted with a surface boundary moving northward as a warm front from South Texas into a very moist airmass. This combination led to thunderstorms that produced heavy rain and isolated severe weather. A historic flash flood occurred on the Blanco River late Saturday night into Sunday. Hundreds of homes were destroyed along the river from the City of Blanco down into Wimberley and San Marcos. The flood wave continued downstream for days affecting residents and homes along the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers. Early estimates show damages in excess of 100 million dollars. Several people lost their lives due to flash flooding. A large tornado outbreak occurred this Saturday night producing numerous small brief tornadoes.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 581658. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.