USA – Flooding in South East Texas After Tropical Depression Imelda Dumps Heavy Rain

by in News, USA

Torrential rain brought by Tropical Storm Imelda has triggered flooding in southeast Texas.

On Sept. 17, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. EDT (17:30 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite showed newly formed Tropical Depression 11 just after it made landfall along the Texas coast. Credit: NASA Worldview

The National Hurricane Center said Imelda made landfall near Freeport, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 kph). It has since weakened to a tropical depression.

National Weather Service (NWS) Houston reported rainfall rates of 2-3″ (50mm to 76mm) per hour. Some areas of Matagorda and Brazoria counties saw up to 16 inches (406.4mm) of rain in a period 17 to 18 September. Areas from Galveston eastwards into Chambers county saw up to 12 inches (304.8mm).

Jeff Lindner director of the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) flood operations said some areas have seen 25 inches (635mm) of rain. HCFCD were monitoring bayous and creeks in the area.

As of 19 September Texas Department of Transportation reported flooded roads in 17 locations, including in Lake Jackson, Beaumont, Cleveland, Corrigan, Freeport, Houston and Galveston. Schools have been closed in the Houston and Galveston areas. Some public transportation services in Galveston were suspended due to the weather.

A tornado was reported near the Baytown, damaging several homes. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage resulting from the flooding.

Forecasters however said the Houston area could still face some heavy rainfall on 19 September. NWS said flash flood watches remained in effect through Thursday for southeast Texas and southwestern Louisiana. A Flash Flood Emergency continues for Beaumont, Nederland and Port Neches.

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