San Angelo Receives 5 - 6 Inches of Rain Overnight

Overnight, San Angelo experienced significant rain. According to the National Weather Service in San Angelo, Mathis Field reported 3.3 inches of rain overnight. But rain meters in the College Hills area of the city reported 5 inches. In The Bluffs in northwest San Angelo, 5.5 to 6 inches of rainfall was measured.

Flooding impacted most parts of the city and Tom Green County, with multiple rescues of stranded drivers reported over the emergency services radio.

According to Officer Tracy Gonzalez, public information officer for the San Angelo Police Department:

• At 4:13 a.m., PD was dispatched to assist the Fire Department with a water rescue at Sunset and College Hills. First responders noted two children were assisted/removed from vehicle and the vehicle was removed from the roadway. (No other info at this time.)
• At 5:33 a.m., PD was dispatched to assist the FD at the 3200 block of Middle Concho E. Drive. PD responded but nobody needed assistance.
• At 7:53 a.m., PD was dispatched to the 3200 block of Sul Ross to assist a motorist/water rescue. The driver was issued a citation for disregarding a barricade. 

"If you choose to, disregarding a barricade that has been placed because water is over any portion of the road, street, or highway is a Class B Misdemeanor. This is a serious issue that not only risks the driver/passenger's life, but the lives of our first responders," Gonzalez said.  "Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water--it only takes 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car."

It was reported that some people were walking through the new walking trails. Gonzalez said, "If the water is not flowing, they are exposing themselves to contaminants."

In addition to the calls for service, many traffic signals were reported as non-functioning throughout the city. Most likely, these reports were storm-related, Gonzalez said.   

The NWS predicts no more rainfall for the rest of today, but tomorrow, meteorologists are forecasting a 20-30 percent chance of precipitation. Further east, near Brownwood, the chance of tomorrow’s rain increases to 40 percent.

Along I-10 from Fort Stockton to Sonora, a line of thunderstorms and rain showers are dousing the region. NWS reports multiple instances of flooding.

Twin Buttes Reservoir added 0.65 feet in elevation overnight, according to the U.S.G.S. Lake Ivie has yet to see the benefit of the rainfall in the Concho Valley, remaining practically unchanged for the week at 1517 feet.