ABC13 meteorologist analyzes timeline of when climate alerts had been issued in central Texas flooding occasion on July 4

KERRVILLE, Texas (KTRK) — Central Texas simply witnessed one among its worst flooding disasters since 1987.

The occasion is an instance of how excessive Mom Nature might be when circumstances are good. An ideal storm within the worst manner, hitting in the midst of the night time in a area filled with guests there for an extended vacation weekend. ABC13 Meteorologist Elyse Smith analyzed when climate alerts had been issued within the hours main as much as the flood and because it unfolded early Friday morning on the Fourth of July.

Let’s begin with the day earlier than, Thursday, July 3. A Flood Look ahead to Central Texas was issued by the native Nationwide Climate Service Workplace in Austin/San Antonio. The watch was in impact by way of Friday morning and warned of the possibility for rainfall totals upwards of 5 to 7 inches, which might result in extreme runoff and flooding alongside rivers, creeks, and streams.

Later Thursday night, the Climate Prediction Heart highlighted the identical area with an rising menace for slow-moving thunderstorms that might dump rainfall charges of three inches an hour.

It was round midnight on Friday, July 4, when the primary few thunderstorms started dumping heavy rainfall in central Texas. About an hour later, the primary Flash Flood Warning was issued by the Nationwide Climate Service at round 1:14 a.m. This warning additionally included the “appreciable” tag, which ought to have triggered wi-fi emergency alerts to exit to cell telephones and NOAA Climate Radios.

Then at 3:35 a.m., the unique warning was upgraded and included the verbiage, “Transfer to increased floor now. Act rapidly to guard your life.” Lower than half-hour later, the warning was upgraded once more to a Flash Flood Emergency and would have triggered the wi-fi emergency alerts as soon as once more.

Lastly, at 5:34 a.m., a Flash Flood Warning for the Guadalupe River talked about the “giant and lethal flood wave” that was noticed and transferring down the river. Dozens of climate alerts had been issued thereafter because the flood occasion unfolded throughout central Texas.

SEE FULL TIMELINE: Texas flooding timeline: How quickly rising waters killed dozens

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