Flash Flood — Washington, Texas

2016-05-26 to 2016-05-27 · near Burton, Washington, Texas

Event narrative

Flood waters inundated homes and there were numerous water rescues in the town of Brenham and around the county. Sections of Highway 36 were impassable due to water over the roadway from Brenham and Somerville. FM 2935 at New Year's Creek was closed due to flooding. All of FM 390 from Burton eastward to FM 105, as well as SH 36 at Highway 290, was closed. There were four fatalities in Washington County. Over 20 inches of rain was measured at one gauge. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

Strong upper level disturbances combined with above average moisture levels and favorable upper level wind patterns to produce a round of severe thunderstorms that eventually trained and produced excessive rainfall and flash flood during the afternoon hours of the 26th and on into the overnight and early morning hours of the 27th. Rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches were common over the north and northwestern parts of Harris County into Waller, Montgomery, and Washington Counties, with much of the rain falling in a 3 to 6 hour period. Portions of Washington County recorded over 12 inches of rainfall in a 3 hour period. This event was the fourth federal disaster declaration for Harris County in the last year.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.1707, -96.6962)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 635831. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.