US: Flooding prompts states of disaster in southern Texas counties June 21 /update 2

Event

Heavy rain and flooding that has inundated parts of the Texas Gulf coast since Tuesday, June 19, has continued into Thursday, June 21, particularly affecting parts of southern Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott accordingly declared a state of disaster in the counties of Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, San Patricio, and Willacy on Thursday, freeing state resources to respond to the severe weather and its effects. The rainfall has flooded roads in several towns and cities along the Texas Gulf coast and deep southern Texas in recent days, causing traffic disruptions, stranding vehicles, and requiring emergency responders to rescue motorists. Some 200 such rescues are reported to have been carried out in the town of Mission (Hidalgo county); rainfall has caused streets to erode in McAllen (Hidalgo county), and has prompted road closures in Mercedes (Hidalgo county) and Weslaco (Hidalgo county).

Though rainfall has generally slowed across the region on Thursday, flash flood watches are slated to remain in effect for much of deep southern Texas through late on Thursday (local time), with moderate to heavy rainfall forecast to continue in some areas in the coming hours until drier conditions prevail on Friday, June 22. Lingering flooding, traffic disruptions, and power outages are possible in affected areas in the coming hours and days.

Context

Heavy rain and flooding is common in the area during the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in the state, notably in the city of Houston, leaving dozens of people dead.

Advice

Individuals in affected areas are advised to follow local weather reports and adhere to advice issued by the local authorities.