Storm Surge/Tide — Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

2020-09-21 to 2020-09-23 · Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula, Texas

Event narrative

Significant beach erosion occurred along the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island. A fishing pier at 61st St. in Galveston was damaged. Numerous roads were flooded from high storm tides. Some garages were inundated with water. Maximum water heights reached 3.77 ft above MHHW at the Galveston Fishing Pier and 3.56 above MHHW at the Galveston Bay entrance.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Beta made landfall near Matagorda bay on September 21. As the system pushed slowly inland, portions of SE Texas experienced flash flooding from heavy rain bands, storm surge, and some strong wind gusts. Storm surge was enhanced by long fetch of northeast winds over Gulf behind a cold front. 20 to 25 homes were damaged from high water along portions of Clear Creek and Lower Brays Bayous.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 920223. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.