Tag Archive for: flash flooding

More Than 140 Missing After Freak Flash Flood in India

The New York Times, Associated Press, France 24 and IndiaToday have reported a freak flash flood in northern India. It happened near the Himalayas after a portion of a glacier broke away and released pent up water.

The Times said, “Unconfirmed videos on social media showed violent surges of water heading down mountain gorges, washing away bridges and what looked like hydroelectric structures.”

Associated Press reported that the flood killed at least 9 people. They reported 140 missing. “The flood was caused when a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in the Tapovan area of the northern state of Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. A video shared by officials and taken from the side of steep hillside shows a wall of water surging into one of the dams and breaking it into pieces with little resistance before continuing to roar downstream,” said the AP story.

To see a video shared on YouTube by France 24, a French public broadcast service, click here or on the image below.

France 24 video shared on YouTube.

A longer video on IndiaToday shows roiling water splashing hundreds of feet up on canyon walls.

Rescue teams from India and Tibet have rushed to the scene. Towns and villages downstream are being evacuated.

While we don’t have any glaciers in Texas, we do experience flash flooding. This dramatizes how flooding anywhere can change lives in an instant.

To learn more about different types of flooding, view this presentation by the National Weather Service.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/7/2020

1258 Days after Hurricane Harvey

Heavy Rainfall, Strong Thunderstorms Likely Friday, Saturday

A series of strong storm systems will converge over south Texas late this week bringing heavy rainfall. Moisture will rapidly increase Thursday afternoon and evening.

Black Friday Looking Like Bleak Friday

“We may even see development of showers over the coastal waters Thursday afternoon that begins to spread inland Thursday evening,” says Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist. “Expect showers and thunderstorms to increase and expand in coverage and intensity early Friday. A warm front may begin to slow or even stall over southeast Texas from Friday afternoon into early Saturday. That will allow prolonged heavy rainfall due to cell training.”

Moisture profiles for the Friday afternoon into Saturday point toward heavy rainfall.

“Ingredients are in play for prolonged heavy rainfall, cell training, and possible flash flooding.”

Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist

Then a cold front will approach the region at some point Saturday into early Sunday helping to focus additional rainfall. The upper level trough will slowly move eastward late Saturday into Sunday leading to decreasing rain chances and cold conditions. 

Up to 5-6 inches Rainfall Possible with Hail Threat

A few of the storms on Friday and Saturday could be strong with the main threat being small hail.

Rainfall amounts over the next 5 days (mainly Friday and Saturday) will likely average 1-3 inches over the region with isolated totals of 5-6 inches possible.

Grounds are dry, so much of this rainfall will likely be beneficial. It will help mitigate increasing drought and fire-weather concerns.

Jeff Lindner

Marginal Risk of Flash Flooding

“However,” says Lindner, “should any sort of heavy rainfall axis develop and anchor over any specific location for a period of time…flash flooding could develop. The main concern would be street flooding with the heavier rainfall rates, but rises on area creeks and bayous will be possible in heavy rainfall materializes in the more urban areas.”

Five day rainfall forecast shows 3-4 inches in the Houston Area.
NOAA gives Houston a marginal chance of flash flooding this weekend.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/25/2020

1184 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Tornado Watch for All Southeast Texas Until 3 P.M.

Tornado Watch Extended Until 10PM

As of 3PM on 4/19/2020 the tornado watch was extended until 10PM: A tornado watch is in effect for all of SE Texas. Thunderstorms have begun to develop over SE TX, especially along and near I-10. Air mass is becoming increasingly unstable. The approach of an upper level system from the west and a Pacific cool front along with veering wind profiles will support the formation of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.

Radar Updated at 3:20

Hazards

Storms may become severe with the following hazards:

  • Isolated tornados (mainly N of I-10)
  • Large hail (a few hail report could exceed 2.5 inches in diameter)
  • Damaging winds (60mph or greater)

While the tornado watch includes the entire area, the greatest threat will be generally along and N of US 59 to the west of Houston and then along and N of I-10 east of Houston.

For Your Protection

  • Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
  • Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground lightning.
  • Seek shelter inside a well-built structure.
  • Stay away from windows.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.

Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/19/2020 at 9:30am and updated with new radar at 3pm.

964 Days since Hurricane Harvey