National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic

Severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds are most likely over parts of the Dakotas into Minnesota from this afternoon into the overnight, with other isolated storms producing hail or wind over the northern High Plains. In the Northern Plains into the Upper Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic, heavy to excessive rain may bring flash and urban flooding through Wednesday. Read More >

 

Event
Summary

 

March 2016 Record Flooding

 

Summary

A cut off upper low over West Texas and a stalled frontal boundary over Southeast Texas produced multiple days of very heavy rainfall over the region. Widespread flash flooding occurred across the area with totals ranging from 10 to 20 inches. The highest rainfall total occurred at the Toledo Bend Dam with 15 to 20 inches of rainfall common over the reservoir. This pushed the lake level to an all time high of 174.36 feet which is over one foot higher than the previous record crest from 1989. This forced the floodgates to be fully opened on the 10th, except for two gates that were under maintenance. Downstream of the reservoir, a flood of record occurred along the Sabine River.


Image of rainfall totals