One person died and another was seriously injured after torrential rain and flooding caused the wall of a house to collapse in El Paso, Texas, on 12 August 2021.
The victims were attempting to evacuate the house before the wall collapsed. “Firefighters worked to extricate the victims from under the wall as the living room continued to flood. Fire and Medical Services transported both to an area hospital where the woman was pronounced deceased,” El Paso city officials said.
Further heavy rainfall since then has left wide areas of the city of El Paso were under torrents of water. Sandbags are being distributed to protect property. El Paso emergency services responded to several incidents of vehicles stranded or swept away after drivers attempted to drive through the floods. Roads were also flooded across the border in Mexico, causing traffic disruption in Ciudad Juárez.
National Weather Service, El Paso, said 3.75 inches (95.25 mm) of rain fell during 12 August in Northeast El Paso. More rain is expected over the weekend and Flash Flood Warnings remain in effect.
Flooding was reported in the area in late June and it has been a very wet period for the city so far this year.
NWS said that El Paso Airport has recorded 9.62 inches (244.34 mm) of rain so far this year. “Our normal for the ENTIRE year is 8.78 inches (223mm). We have 4.5 months left to this year!” NWS said.
Social Media
Rushing floodwaters are overwhelming vehicles tonight, like this one in northeast El Paso. Authorities advise staying home as we remain under a Flash Flood Warning. Complete flooding coverage: https://t.co/64ME47hkBC pic.twitter.com/zQ3McA4Nhx
— ABC-7 TrafficTRACK (@KVIAtraffic) August 13, 2021
NEW VIDEO: Additional flooding on Elm St. pic.twitter.com/8OztiShiey
— SheltonCBS4 (@SheltonCBS4) August 13, 2021
WOW! Steven Anthony sent us this video of flooding earlier tonight at Fort and Louisiana. pic.twitter.com/h96Z7pB1Jq
— SheltonCBS4 (@SheltonCBS4) August 13, 2021
Perfect example as to why you should TURN AROUND in flooded roadways! This was shot in Central EP, where a driver attempted to drive thru flooded waters. This story have a happy ending. Weather Watcher Domino Fernandez, recording this video, helped the driver and drove her home. pic.twitter.com/MXnguPYg7n
— Monica Cortez (@MonicaKTSM) August 13, 2021