Hurricane Bret Disaster Update 

Release Date: August 24, 1999
Release Number: 1287-02

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Bret

WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that the remnants of Hurricane Bret continue bringing heavy rain to parts of south Texas. What is left from Bret is centered over northern Mexico this morning. Heavy rain from the system has prompted some concern for flooding.

Some areas of Texas received hourly rainfall amounts of two to four inches last night, and there are reports of up to 20 inches of rain in some counties since Bret moved on shore Sunday afternoon. An additional five to 10 inches of rain are possible later today or early tomorrow morning. NWS flash flood warnings are in effect until 11 a.m. EDT for the southwest Texas counties of Maverick, Zavala, Kinney, Val Verde and Dimmit.

Forecasters at the Western Gulf River Forecast Center report no significant river flooding, although the additional rainfall could change that situation.

The NWS Severe Weather Prediction Center reports that all tornado and severe thunderstorm watches have been discontinued in the wake of Bret.

One of the hardest hit areas from flooding appears to be Falfurrias, 60 miles southwest of Corpus Christi, the point at which the eye of the hurricane made its onshore arrival.

While thousands of evacuated residents have begun to return to their homes, hundreds of others are continuing to stay American Red Cross (ARC) shelters and other agency facilities. The ARC reports 27 shelters remain open with a total population of 2,574.

The flooding is apparently causing minimal transportation problems. The Tex-Mex rail line has been closed from Laredo to Corpus Christi and a number of secondary roads were flooded in the impacted counties.

The latest information on utilities indicates that as many as 3,000 electric customers in Corpus Christi are without power, but restoration could be completed by Wednesday morning. At the height of the storm the outages were approximately 64,000. There are no reports of water and sewer or telephone outages.

The FEMA Headquarters Emergency Support Team is still operating 24 hours/day but at a reduced staffing level. In Denton, Texas, FEMA's Regional Operations Center (ROC) (Region VI) continues its operations.

FEMA's Hurricane Liaison Team has been activated and is continuing its work at the National Hurricane Center.

Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) are underway in the seven declared counties.

The US Public Health Service Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and a Disaster Management Support Team are ready for deployment from the Mobilization Center (MOB) at Ft. Sam Houston. FEMA's Mobile Emergency Response Support from Denton, Texas, has arrived at the MOB Center. The convoy includes an Emergency Operations Vehicle (EOV) and a Mobile Response Van.

The U.S. Coast Guard has several fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft on standby for search and rescue operations should they be necessary and for damage assessment flights.

There are 465 federal personnel currently deployed to support the response to this incident.

Texas officials report:

The State Emergency Operations Center in Austin is active.

As of Tuesday, 564 National Guard personnel have been deployed to assist in the disaster area.

State personnel working on this incident come from the Department of Human Services, Transportation, Railroad Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Commission, Department of Public Safety, Parks and Wildlife, General Services Commission, Department of Criminal Justice, Attorney General's Office and the Public Utility Commission.

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Dec-2003 10:59:47