Two storm systems pounded Texas during the last week of October. The first, energized by the remnants of Hurricane Patricia, the most intense storm ever recorded in the western hemisphere—created 8 inches of rain in parts of the Austin metro area, costing millions of dollars in lost revenue during Austin’s Formula 1 race weekend. An average of 4 inches of rain fell over Texas during the storm–a statewide record.
One week later, even more stunning records were established, as nearly 15 inches of rain fell in six hours on Oct. 30–on some area creeks a rainfall so intense it is considered a 1-in-2,300 year rain event. Three people died in the flash flood on Dry Creek near Del Valle, and hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed.
If storms of this magnitude are already occurring, what might the weeks and months ahead hold? Last week, the warmest water temperatures ever recorded in the El Niño region signaled what is the most powerful El Niño since the record breaking 1997-98 event, and it could become the strongest on record. The pattern is still gaining strength, and likely will not peak until sometime this winter.
http://kxan.com/2015/11/23/godzilla-el-nino-could-lead-to-more-flooding-severe-weather-this-winter/
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