Flooding situation to the west
Here is the latest from NOAA on the horrific flooding going on to the west of San Antonio. Rainfall amounts in Mexico have been over 20 inches and more may be on the way.
NOAA 7-6-10:
It has been several days now since Alex made landfall...but the moisture over central and northern Mexico continues to produce huge rainfall totals in the mountains just west of Del Rio and the Rio Grande River. Additional rains are ongoing and will add to the already incredible totals that are being estimated by radar...upwards of 15-20+ inches in an area roughly the size of New Jersey. I have attached an image showing the estimated totals over the past 7 days. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until at least 7 am Tuesday for Val Verde, Kinney, and Maverick Counties.
These large rainfall totals have led to major flooding along the Rio Grande from areas just northwest of Del Rio...down to Eagle Pass. The current heavy rain will produce even more runoff and we are expecting to have this flood event continue for the next several days at least. The inflow into Lake Amistad near Del Rio has led to an incredible 15 foot rise in the lake since Friday. As a result, large amounts of water will be released from the Dam and will lead to flooding downstream. The latest IBWC press release can be found here...
http://www.ibwc.state.gov/Files/Press_Release_070510.pdf
What worries me is that satellite images show a stream of moisture moving northward from
southern Mexico all the way north into the Big Bend...with no real end in sight. As long as we keep this moisture tap flowing north, the heavy rains will continue over the river basins that flow into the Rio Grande.
This is becoming a very dangerous situation. Another tropical wave near the Yucatan is forecast to approach northern Mexico or portions of Texas by mid to late week. This in fact could spread even more moisture into northern sections of Mexico and lead to even more rainfall.
Please monitor the latest forecasts, watches, and warnings by going to the National Weather Service website at www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx
River/lake stages and flood forecasts can be found at the AHPS website :
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=ewx
and a quick briefing webpage from the West Gulf River Forecast Center can be found at:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/wgrfc/HMDmain.php
Paul Yura
National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio TX
These large rainfall totals have led to major flooding along the Rio Grande from areas just northwest of Del Rio...down to Eagle Pass. The current heavy rain will produce even more runoff and we are expecting to have this flood event continue for the next several days at least. The inflow into Lake Amistad near Del Rio has led to an incredible 15 foot rise in the lake since Friday. As a result, large amounts of water will be released from the Dam and will lead to flooding downstream. The latest IBWC press release can be found here...
http://www.ibwc.state.gov/
What worries me is that satellite images show a stream of moisture moving northward from
southern Mexico all the way north into the Big Bend...with no real end in sight. As long as we keep this moisture tap flowing north, the heavy rains will continue over the river basins that flow into the Rio Grande.
This is becoming a very dangerous situation. Another tropical wave near the Yucatan is forecast to approach northern Mexico or portions of Texas by mid to late week. This in fact could spread even more moisture into northern sections of Mexico and lead to even more rainfall.
Please monitor the latest forecasts, watches, and warnings by going to the National Weather Service website at www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx
River/lake stages and flood forecasts can be found at the AHPS website :
http://water.weather.gov/
and a quick briefing webpage from the West Gulf River Forecast Center can be found at:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/wgrfc/
Paul Yura
National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio TX
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