Jun 19, 2024
The difference between unusually strong (for late June) high pressure over the southeast U.S. and broad low pressure in the southwest Gulf brought a gradual increase in wave energy and rising tides (coastal run up) on the Lower Texas coast barrier island. Departures from predicted began to spike during the afternoon of June 18th, with the combination of wave energy (from 12+ foot waves and a 10-12 second swell period) beginning the onset of beach erosion (dune calving) along the barrier island.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1197797). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Willacy Island County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.