South Texas flood: Videos, photos show flooding in Rio Grande Valley
South Texas flooding: Cars submerged amid South Texas flooding
Cars were submerged by floodwaters in McAllen, Texas, on Thursday, March 27, as severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain to the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, triggering flash flooding. (Credit: TxDOT Pharr District via Storyful)
MCALLEN, Texas - South Texas worked to dry out on Friday after severe thunderstorms a day earlier flooded streets and compelled dozens of water rescues as many drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles on roads and parking lots. Homes were flooded, and some areas were inundated with a foot of rain.
More than a foot of rain in some areas
By the numbers:
Between 6 inches and 12 inches of rain fell in parts of South Texas in the past 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Palmview, located west of McAllen, received more than 18 inches (45 centimeters) of rain over the past two days.
What they're saying:
"We’re just getting like a bucket of water poured on us and it’s too much for the drainage system," Alamo Fire Department Chief R.C. Flores told KRGV in Weslaco, Texas. "A lot of these are stranded motorists with no immediate danger, but we do want to make sure we are prioritizing the medical calls first."
Water rescues & stranded motorists
South Texas flooding: Cars drive through floodwaters
Cars were seen driving through floodwaters in South Texas on Thursday, March 27, as the National Weather Service (NWS) said that severe thunderstorms were affecting the region. (Jorge Alberto Galicia via Storyful)
Dig deeper:
Flores said Alamo’s fire and police departments had responded to more than 50 water rescues on Thursday.
Television news footage from flooded communities in South Texas showed multiple water-logged cars abandoned on streets on Thursday and drivers waiting on sidewalks for the flood waters to recede.
More than 20 South Texas school districts and college campuses canceled classes on Friday due to the severe weather and flooding.
Flood warning for Rio Grande Valley
What's next:
A flood warning was still in effect for portions of South Texas, including Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties, until 12:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
"There’s a break from the rain this morning, which will allow flood waters to gradually recede, but we’ll still need to keep an eye on the development of isolated showers and thunderstorms once again this afternoon," the National Weather said on social media. "Any additional rainfall will be quick to cause flooding issues given the heavy rainfall that has already fallen."
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Associated Press, the National Weather Service and local media.