Flash Flood in Pecos County, Texas

Extensive flash flooding occured across most of Pecos County. Several high/swift water rescues were conducted along Highway 67 between Interstate 10 and Girvin. Parts of Highway 385 were inudated by over two feet of running water from 15 miles south of Fort Stockton to the near the Brewster County line 35 miles south of Fort Stockton. In addition, both Farm to Market Road 1053 and Highway 18 were closed due to high water 10 miles north of Fort Stockton. A rural NWS contact southeast of Fort Stockton had to be rescued from her home as flood waters entered the structure. No significant injuries were reported across the county.

Heavy rainfall farther north over eastern Pecos County resulted in a crest of twenty feet along the Pecos River just east of Sheffield around 06:00 CST. This crest combined with the continuation of heavy rainfall caused extensive flash flooding in rural areas east and southeast of the city. Shortly before 16:00 CST travelers on Interstate 10 witnessed a pickup truck and a camper trailer floating beneath the Pecos River bridge. A search downstream by local authorities ensued, but many rural location across along the river were inaccessible due to extensive flooding. It was later determined that the pickup and camper trailer were swept into the Pecos River by flash flooding on the Pecos River Ranch near Sheffield. The vehicle and trailer were vacant when they were overtaken by raging flood waters, and were ultimately found many miles down river near the Rio Grande. Several head of cattle also were killed in the flood waters.

Thunderstorms were stationary over Fort Stockton around midday on the 31st. These storms resulted in up to two inches of rainfall over the city by 11:00 CST. Extensive flooding in Fort Stockton was reported along with flooding along U.S. Highway 385 just southwest of the city. Fire department officials reported that several high water rescues were conducted in the south side of the city, and residents were evacuated from their homes in one neighborhood. A National Weather Service cooperative observer on the south side of Fort Stockton measured 5.10 inch of rain for the event. Flooding in the city receded by mid afternoon. High water persisted over U.S. Highway 385 just southwest of the city through 17:00 CST. No injuries were reported.