Historic flooding in the Big Country: When was the last time we saw flooding like this?

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Over the past week, parts of the Big Country have been hit hard by relentless rainfall, resulting in catastrophic flooding that has displaced families, damaged property, and left communities to pick up the pieces. Areas across the Hill Country, the southern portions of our viewing area, and the Heartland have seen significant impacts.

In southern Coke County, rainfall totals exceeded 14 inches. Albany recorded around 7.4 inches, southeastern Mills County nearly 18 inches, and right here in Abilene, we picked up close to 3 inches, enough to cause flooding across city streets and neighborhoods.

Totals elsewhere ranged anywhere from half an inch to as much as five to six inches. These heavy rains prompted a multi-day flood watch, numerous flash flood warnings, and even a flash flood emergency south of our area the night the catastrophic flooding occurred.

So, where did all this rain come from?

Surprisingly, this wasn’t a typical summer setup. The widespread rain was tied to the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall on the Gulf of America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico. That tropical moisture was drawn into Texas by other atmospheric factors and consolidated as a low-pressure system. That system ebbed and flowed in intense moisture not only from Barry but also from Hurricane Flossie for several days, dropping historical amounts of rain in the process.

Although we still have a little more rain in the forecast over the next day or so, this event is finally coming to a close. Now, we begin recovery efforts, hoping the rain stays away long enough for communities to rebuild, but also aware of how crucial occasional summer rainfall is for keeping drought conditions at bay.

Many may now be asking: When was the last time we saw flooding this badly in the Big Country? While flash flooding is not a new phenomenon for this region, there are a few key events that stand out in our weather history. Let’s look back:

August 2007

Some may remember this one well. In August 2007, Abilene saw nearly 7 inches of rain, 4.54 inches above normal for the month. Much of that fell between the 16th and 18th, with more than five inches in just a couple of days. That system was tied to the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin, which made landfall near Corpus Christi before moving inland and unloading significant rainfall across the Big Country.

July 2002

Another major flood event came in July 2002. That month brought just over 8 inches of rain to Abilene, well above the monthly average of 1.92 inches. A large part of that fell early in the month, with 5.67 inches recorded in a single day. This storm affected far more than just our region; around 80 counties across Texas were impacted, with some areas seeing close to 35 inches of rain. The toll was heartbreaking: 12 lives were lost and $1 billion in damages.

August 1978

To find an even more catastrophic event, we go back to August 1978. While Abilene saw more than six inches of rain in a single day, more than double the monthly average, it was Albany that took the brunt of this flood.

This disaster was fueled by the remnants of Tropical Storm Amelia, which made landfall near Port Isabel on July 30, according to USGS. As the storm moved inland, it triggered flooding throughout Flash Flood Alley before centering near Albany. There, 32.5 inches of rain fell in just 24 hours, making it one of the most extreme rainfall events in Texas history. Sadly, seven people in our region lost their lives, many swept away by Hubbard Creek as it rushed through town.

Flash floods like these are devastating because they happen fast and leave little time to react. That’s why staying weather-aware is so essential, especially when tropical systems are involved.

Our hearts are with everyone impacted by this most recent historic flooding. As we clean up and move forward, we continue to keep a close eye on the skies, hoping for drier days in the short term, but still mindful of our long-term need for rain.

Stay safe, Big Country.