A powerful storm system struck Texas on Thursday, leading to significant rainfall across the Hill Country and North Texas, and prompting a Flash Flood Emergency from the National Weather Service for Concho, McCulloch, and Menard Counties. This emergency was declared due to life-threatening flooding caused by the extreme rainfall in the region.
Reports from local officials and residents in Menard County showcased the aftermath of the storm, illustrating washed-out roads and overflowing rivers and creeks. Menard was notably hit hard, recording a staggering 9.25 inches of rain, while the San Saba River crested at 13.25 feet, leading to dangerous conditions. Emergency crews responded to incidents involving vehicles hydroplaning off the road, accompanied by street flooding within Menard itself.
The storm’s reach extended to North Texas, where Dallas Fort Worth International Airport recorded 3.95 inches of rain, marking the wettest November day on record for the city. Flash Flood Warnings were issued across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, while areas like Kerr County faced nearly 3 inches of rain in just a few hours overnight. This heavy rainfall resulted in high water and slowed traffic on Interstate 30 during the Thursday morning commute.
Governor Greg Abbott had taken the proactive step of activating state emergency resources on Wednesday morning in anticipation of the storm’s arrival. The system also affected surrounding states, bringing severe weather and heavy rain to Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, including reports of golf ball-sized hail near Tulsa.
As the storm system moved eastward into the Ohio Valley on Friday, it continued to pose a low-level flood threat and generated severe thunderstorms in the Tennessee Valley. In Texas Hill Country, after a temporary pause, additional rainfall is anticipated on Saturday, with forecasts predicting 1 to 2 inches in various areas from Louisville, Kentucky, to Kansas City southward into Texas, and localized amounts potentially exceeding 3 inches in certain parts of Missouri and Central Texas.
Communities throughout the affected regions are now relying on state resources and effective emergency responses to navigate the challenges posed by this extraordinary weather event. The recent storm serves as a reminder of the potential severity of seasonal weather patterns in Texas and surrounding areas, and the importance of remaining vigilant during such events.