Kirsten CrowCorpus Christi Caller Times
This story has been updated to include additional information about the forecast and about the city’s action plan in responding to predicated flood conditions.
What may eventually become the first named storm of the season could drive as much as six- to 10 inches of rain into Corpus Christi within a period of days this week, according to forecasts – a volume that could easily lead to flooding, depending on how fast the precipitation falls and where.
Corpus Christi, as well as much of South Texas, is under a tropical storm watch, which will remain in effect until further notice, according to the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi.
A flood watch and coastal flood watch have also been issued for a period of several days.
The National Hurricane Center’s tropical outlook as of Monday afternoon shows a 70% chance of a tropical depression or a tropical storm developing in the Gulf of Mexico within the next 48 hours, noting that “a broad area of low pressure is located over the Bay of Campeche. with winds of 35-40 mph occurring in an area well to the northeast of the center over the southern Gulf of Mexico.”
In a map posted late Monday, NWS meteorologists predicted landfall in northern Mexico, should a storm ultimately develop.
“Regardless of development and eventual landfall location, there are several hazards and impacts expected across South Texas from tonight through Thursday due to the large extent of this system,” according to NWS messages on X.
Those impacts could include winds of 35 to 40 mph, according to the weather service, adding that residents should “prepare for power outages across South Texas.”
Heavy rain is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon or evening, according to the NWS’ risk outlook for South Texas, posted at 5 p.m. Monday.
The flood watch for Corpus Christi and a large swath of South Texas counties goes into effect beginning Tuesday evening and continues through Thursday afternoon, according to local NWS reports as of Monday afternoon, with a 40% chance of excessive rainfall Tuesday into Wednesday.
More: Here's a list of roads prone to flooding in Corpus Christi
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the watch notice states. “Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible.”
A coastal flood watch goes into effect Monday night and continues through Thursday morning.
Predicted coastal flooding – amounting to between one and three feet of inundation – is anticipated to “likely be accompanied by large and destructive waves,” according to NWS posts on X.
Those conditions are expected to flood beach access roads, as well as cause minor beach erosion, the agency stated on its social media site, and wave heights are forecast to reach between eight- and 10 feet Tuesday.
What does it mean for the city?
City officials have created an action plan in anticipation of flooding.
City Manager Peter Zanoni, in a Monday afternoon memo to the City Council, wrote that North Beach may begin to see some coastal flooding by noon Tuesday.
Although Wednesday is Juneteenth – and while most of the city’s services are planned to be closed – “we will be requiring a number of employees to report to work including the majority of Public Works,” Zanoni wrote in his memo to the council.
Both the city’s emergency operations center and 3-1-1 call center are planned to be open Wednesday, as well, he wrote.
The Padre Island beaches will remain open, however the Packery Channel jetty walkway and nearby roads “may be closed following established safety protocols,” Zanoni added.
Elsewhere in the city, officials plan to pre-position barricades at roads known to flood, he told the Caller-Times late Monday afternoon.
It is also planned heavy vehicles will also be pre-positioned in the event of needed rescue, Zanoni added.
What does it mean for the drought?
Although the forecast rain may cause problems within the city limits, it could be beneficial for the water supply as the region continues its ongoing drought of two years.
As of Monday morning, combined levels of Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon Reservoir stood at about 25.1%, what is considered Stage 2 drought, Zanoni said.
Between two and four inches of precipitation may reach the recharge areas, he wrote in his memo to the City Council.
Should the recharge zones receive between three and five inches of rain, it could raise the combined lake levels to 30%, Zanoni told the Caller-Times.
However, Stage 2 drought restrictions remain in effect until the combined lake levels rise to about 40%.
This is a developing story. Check back on caller.com for updates.
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