Storm Surge/Tide — Calhoun County Islands, Texas

2021-09-13 · Calhoun County Islands, Texas

Event narrative

TCOON site at Port O'Connor measured a maximum storm tide of 3.15 feet MHHW at 742 PM LST. With the storm surge arrival during time of low tide, the maximum storm surge was 3.79 feet at Port O'Connor. The storm surge likely ranged from 2 to 4 feet along the coast of Matagorda Island.

Wider weather episode

An area of low pressure over the western Caribbean Sea on September 9th moved west into the Bay of Campeche by the 11th. The low pressure area strengthened to become Tropical Storm Nicholas over the southern Gulf of Mexico on the morning of the 12th. Nicholas moved northward across the western Gulf of Mexico to the lower Texas coastal waters early on the 13th. Tropical storm force gusts reached the Middle Texas coast around daybreak of the 13th. Tropical storm wind gusts moved up the coast as Nicholas moved to the north during the afternoon and evening on the 13th. A storm surge of 2 to 3 feet occurred near Bob Hall Pier to Port Aransas.

TCOON site at Port O'Connor measured a maximum storm tide of 3.15 feet MHHW at 742 PM LST. With the storm surge arrival during time of low tide, the maximum storm surge was 3.79 feet. TCOON site at Port Lavaca measured a maximum storm tide of 2.31 feet MHHW at 742 PM LST. With storm surge arrival during time of low tide, the maximum storm surge at Port Lavaca was 3.2 feet. Storm surge ranged from 2 to 4 feet over Calhoun County.

Minor erosion was noted along North Park Street in Port O'Connor adjacent to Matagorda Bay, where a debris line was observed. Moderate erosion was noted along Highway 316 and South Ocean Drive in Indianola, where the surge covered the road and moved concrete boulders and sand across the roadway. Several piers were severely damaged. Water entered several homes along the road that were at sea level. A debris line was observed on the west side of Highway 316 and South Ocean Drive.

north to Port O'Connor with the highest storm surge of 3.15 feet MHHW at Port O'Connor.

Widespread small to medium sized tree limbs were snapped over Port O'Connor with several large trees uprooted. Several utility poles were also snapped. Many fences were blown down in the older section of town. Improperly secured metal roofs were blown off and several boat storage buildings suffered significant sheet metal damage. Small to medium sized tree limbs were snapped around Indianola. Several roofs were damaged with sheet metal partially removed.

Nicholas made landfall southwest of Sargent as a minimal hurricane before midnight. Periods of heavy rain caused flooding problems in Corpus Christi in the morning and around Port O'Connor in the evening.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 984874. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.