A violent storm hit border areas between Tamaulipas State, Mexico and Texas, USA, from 24 June 2019, bringing lightning strikes, strong winds and torrential rain. More than 12 inches (300mm) of rain fell in 4 hours in parts of Texas.

Tamaulipas, Mexico
In Mexico, the worst affected areas are in the municipality of Reynosa, where authorities say over 50 neighbourhoods were affected. Flooding damaged roads, homes and medical centres. Local media reported that at least one person died in the floods.
Teams from police, military and emergency service including civil protection, carried out evacuations and rescues. State Civil Protection have been distributing relief supplies to affected communities. Francisco Javier García Cabeza de Vaca, Governor of Tamaulipas, toured some of the affected areas on 25 June.

Texas, USA
Reynosa is situated on the Rio Grande river, along the border with Texas, USA, where heavy rainfall was also reported.
NWS Brownsville said that lareg parts of the Rio Grande Valley saw 6 to 12 inches (152mm to 305 mm) of rain during the storm, and more than 12 inches in the city of Harlingen.
Flooding affected parts of Hidalgo County where Monte Alto was among the worst hit areas. Harlingen in Cameron County also saw severe flooding. Streets were blocked and around 50 people (17 families) were evacuated from flooded homes.
In a statement, the City of Harlingen said that “Monday night’s unexpected rain event caused flash flooding in several areas of the City. The heavy rainfall temporarily exceeded the five-year designed capacity of the City’s interior storm drainage system. Weather reports indicate more than 12 ½ inches (317.5mm) of rain pounded Harlingen within a 3-4 hour time period. This amount of rainfall is classified between a 100-500 year storm event.”
Strong winds also caused severe damage. NWS Brownsville said “A severe thunderstorm produced sporadic straight line wind damage from Monte Alto to portions of north Elsa during the evening of June 24th. Peak winds were estimated at 65 to 75 mph.” Around 15,000 were left without power across Willacy, Hidalgo and Cameron Counties.
Authorities have preventively closed the Anzaldúas and Hidalgo international bridges between the 2 countries.
Social Media
El Plan DN-III fue activado desde anoche en #Reynosa para brindar auxilio a la población afectada por inundaciones. Agradezco a la @SEDENAmx, @SEMAR_mx y @PoliciaFedMx por sumarse a las tareas de apoyo. pic.twitter.com/uKkNIsAg5O
— Fco. Cabeza de Vaca (@fgcabezadevaca) June 25, 2019
@PCTamaulipas #Tamaulipas acude en auxilio de habitantes de #Reynosa. @gobtam @Francisco @fgcabezadevaca #Tam. #ProtecciónCivilSomosTodos. pic.twitter.com/qqS23v3mTy
— Protección Civil Tam (@PCTamaulipas) June 25, 2019
Personal de dependencias como @CEAT1, @PCTamaulipas, @Obras_TAM, @SedumaTam y @admon_tam, realiza trabajos de desagüe en colonias de #Reynosa. Más de 70 unidades y equipo, entre camiones, retroexcavadoras, pipas, generadores y bombas, son utilizados para atender las afectaciones. pic.twitter.com/KUSintjfb3
— Fco. Cabeza de Vaca (@fgcabezadevaca) June 25, 2019
Policías Estatales mantienen labores de seguridad y vigilancia en zonas afectadas de Reynosa que resultaron afectadas por las lluvias y atendiendo llamados de emergencia al 9-1-1 @PCTamaulipas @gobtam #Tamaulipas #Tam #ProtecciónCivilSomosTodos pic.twitter.com/Sqw1gsHBoK
— Seguridad Pública (@SSP_GobTam) June 25, 2019
Areas reported as flooded by HP Troopers
Hidalgo County:
FM491 and 11N Indian Hills
TX107 between Elsa and Edcouch
FM 1925 E of Mile 4W
FM 491 between TX 107 and N of Mile 17N – La Villa
FM 1015 north of TX 107 –Edcouch
FM 491 N of I2/US 83
I2/US83 from FM 493 to Victoria Rd— TxDPS – South Texas Region (@TxDPSSouth) June 25, 2019
Overnight, Texas Game Wardens stationed in Cameron/Hidalgo County assisted local officials of DDC 21 in the RGV in response to severe weather dropping 10+’’ of rain in areas.
Responded to dozens of calls resulting in evacuation of 67 people and 15 pets via TPWD airboats. @TDEM pic.twitter.com/pPMmFQLMDp
— Texas Game Warden (@TexasGameWarden) June 25, 2019
A severe thunderstorm produced sporadic straight line wind damage from Monte Alto to portions of north Elsa during the evening of June 24th. Peak winds were estimated at 65 to 75 mph. #rgvwx #rgv #txwx #winddamage #winds
For additional information, visit https://t.co/aI9g4hyyDi pic.twitter.com/rETCH8q4TX
— NWS Brownsville (@NWSBrownsville) June 26, 2019
It was a rough evening for many folks across the #RGV, where persistent rain bands dumped up to a foot of rainfall. A large swath of 6-12" fell across Weslaco-Harlingen-Raymondville. Please stay safe and avoid driving into flooded roadways #RGVwx #txwx #TurnAroundDontDrown pic.twitter.com/rnOvs44Wvv
— NWS Brownsville (@NWSBrownsville) June 25, 2019
Heavy rain and wind gusts in Hidalgo County flipped a mobile hole earlier just west of Monte Alto. Elsa Fire Department reports everyone was able to leave without injury. pic.twitter.com/RdBtPNEfuk
— Valerie Gonzalez (@ValOnTheBorder) June 25, 2019
Still going strong in #Harlingen ⛈ #RGVsevereweather @NWSBrownsville pic.twitter.com/n8ysnmLlIv
— Alma Ochoa-Del Toro, MPH, CHES® (@almalania) June 25, 2019