East Texas Outlook: Severe Storms Monday, Then Late Week Flooding

Flash flooding and severe storms pounded much of East Texas on Sunday. Rainfall amounts of five inches or more were not uncommon across the Pineywoods. This led to numerous road closures and a few instances of small bridges being washed away.

Another Round of Severe Storms for East Texas

The main atmospheric disturbance responsible for these storms will finally push through East Texas on Monday. That means the possibility of a concentrated area of severe storms across Central and Southeast Texas today.

Lufkin, Livingston, Huntsville, Houston, and Beaumont are just a few of the East Texas cities in the 'enhanced' brown-shaded area. Residents here should expect numerous severe thunderstorms throughout Monday afternoon and evening.

What Are the Biggest Severe Threats?

While an isolated tornado or two is possible in the eastern third of Texas on Monday, the biggest threats will come from large hail, damaging wind, and flooding.

Hail Threat

Anyone living in the hatched area of the above map has a 10-30% chance of being within 25 miles of storms producing hail the size of golf balls. The highest potential for this will be in Central Texas, but all of the Pineywoods is also in danger of large hailstones.

Wind Threat

Some storms could produce winds gusting to nearly hurricane strength (74+ mph). If you live in the red-hatched area, you have a 30% chance of being within 25 miles of these storms.

Flood Threat

A Flood Watch continues for most of East Texas until 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The severe storms on Monday afternoon and evening are not expected to drop the huge amounts of rainfall that the area saw on Sunday.

However, any downpours could cause isolated and localized flooding due to the widespread saturated ground in the Pineywoods. For that reason, much of East Texas is considered in a 2 of 5 threat level for excessive rainfall (yellow shaded area below).

Another Flood Watch for the End of the Week?

In their Monday morning hazardous weather statement, the National Weather Service in Shreveport warns East Texas residents that another round of heavy rainfall could happen on Thursday and into Friday morning.

Two inches of rain should be common across the area (dark purple), with some isolated higher amounts. Meteorologists believe that another Flood Watch could be issued by Thursday morning.