National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding in the West; Heat Expands in the Central U.S.

Monsoonal moisture will produce showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of the Southwest, Great Basin, and Central Rockies through Monday. Flash flooding is possible, especially in and around burn scars and in areas of steep terrain. Heat will persist across the Central U.S. early this week, spreading into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic later this week. Read More >

 

Event
Summary

 

March 2016 Record Flooding

 

Summary

A cut off upper low over West Texas and a stalled frontal boundary over Southeast Texas produced multiple days of very heavy rainfall over the region. Widespread flash flooding occurred across the area with totals ranging from 10 to 20 inches. The highest rainfall total occurred at the Toledo Bend Dam with 15 to 20 inches of rainfall common over the reservoir. This pushed the lake level to an all time high of 174.36 feet which is over one foot higher than the previous record crest from 1989. This forced the floodgates to be fully opened on the 10th, except for two gates that were under maintenance. Downstream of the reservoir, a flood of record occurred along the Sabine River.


Image of rainfall totals