'State of Disaster' as Imelda Soaks Texas

news image
Special Stories
20 Sep 2019 8:30 AM
On Thursday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster for 13 counties in Texas due to ongoing flooding as result of Imelda's rainfall. https://twitter.com/GovAbbott/status/1174720582946119681 Imelda quickly developed into a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico as it was making landfall on Tuesday afternoon near Freeport, Texas. While Imelda weakened to a depression Tuesday night, this storm has been proof that a tropical system does not need to be "strong" in order to cause big impacts. Flooding rain over southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana has caused widespread, extreme flooding. Extreme flooding developed early Thursday in southeast Texas communities, including Winnie and Beaumont, where WeatherNation had crews on the ground.  Imelda dropped extreme rainfall amounts through the day Thursday, leading to rapid and severe flooding.   [Related article: Why Imelda's Flooding Was So Bad]   https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/430490114339074/ Thousands of residents were evacuated and/or rescued from flood waters by local emergency responders. https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/2463718907075622/   https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/2383690991958950/ The rainfall amounts have been staggering, with some parts of Texas deluged with more than 3 feet of rainfall since Monday. Rain totals like these now place Imelda in the top 5 wettest tropical systems on record for the Lone Star State. The system has been responsible for brief tornadoes that spun up over Texas Wednesday. WeatherNation field correspondent, Brandon Clement, captured one tornado live on the air with WeatherNation from a drone. https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1174639272910970885 Imelda will drift inland over Texas, remaining in a very warm and moist environment. Due to the slow movement of the storm, heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be continued risks through today (Friday), though the rain will finally let up. While too much rain has caused extreme flooding,  the rain is also needed across Texas - just not so much, so fast. Drought conditions have developed throughout much of the Lone Star State in recent months. This rain from Imelda, while causing extreme flooding, will be beneficial to the drought conditions in the long run. Stay with WeatherNation as we continue to follow this developing story. Don't forget you can stream WeatherNation anytime on these stream outlets---> WEATHERNATION
All Weather News
More
Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

As the Atlantic hurricane season enters its f

19 Oct 2025 6:45 PM
Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

October has been relatively quiet in terms of

19 Oct 2025 4:55 PM
Next System Blows Even More Leaves Out of Trees

Next System Blows Even More Leaves Out of Trees

The trough responsible for the storms along t

19 Oct 2025 3:00 PM
Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

A wet pattern is shaping up for the Northwest

19 Oct 2025 2:55 PM
NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

Ready for another La Niña winter? NOAA quietl

19 Oct 2025 12:25 PM
Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

A ridge of high pressure has been responsible

17 Oct 2025 3:00 AM
Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

As of Wednesday, all evacuation orders have b

15 Oct 2025 1:45 PM