Tropical Storm Barry Remnants Cause Catastrophic Hill Country Flooding

Remnants of Tropical Storm Barry

• Tropical moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall in Mexico, was the primary source of rainfall.
• This moisture traveled north and was pushed into Texas by the terrain.

Stationary Storm Complex and Rainfall

• A stationary storm complex drifting through central Texas tapped into this abundant tropical moisture.
• This interaction led to slow-moving, highly localized, and prolific rainfall rates.

Flood Threat and Forecasting Challenges

• Forecasters identified a flood threat, and flood watches were issued for the affected areas.
• However, pinpointing the exact location and severity of flash flooding remains a challenge in current meteorological science.
• Warnings are often issued with very little lead time, sometimes only minutes before the event.

Rainfall Totals and Impact

• Areas north and west of Austin received an estimated over 20 inches of rain in a 5-day period.
• Brady also experienced over 20 inches, while Kerrville received about a foot of rain.
• Some regions experienced months' worth of rainfall in just a few hours, leading to catastrophic flooding, particularly in the Austin area.