1960 Texas tropical storm

Rainfall totals associated with the Unnamed Tropical Storm

Some towns in Texas considered it the worst disaster since a hurricane in 1945.[3] In Copano Bay, waves produced by the storm damaged three fishing piers; a shrimp boat also capsized, killing three people. In addition, another ship was beached. However, the tides measured were only 3.5 feet (1.1 m) above mean water levels. In Rockport, sustained winds reached 40 mph (64 km/h) and gusts were up to 60 mph (97 km/h). Padre Island Park also reported tropical storm force winds, with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and gusts reaching 60 mph (97 km/h).[1]

Heavy rainfall was reported, peaking at 29.76 inches (756 mm) in Port Lavaca.[4] As a result, water 6 to 12 inches (150 to 300 mm) was reported in several homes and businesses in Port Lavaca.[5] Two boys drowned in Port Lavaca after being swept by flood waters into the city harbor.[6] Over 19 inches (480 mm) fell in Bay City. It was reported by the Bay City Tribune that all of Matagorda County was "under water".[7] Due to large amounts of precipitation, portions of U.S. Routes 59, 87, 90, and then-185, and Texas State Highways 35 and 71.[8][9] Rainfall totals in the Houston area peaked at more than 17 inches (430 mm).[7] At the height of the storm, about one-fourth of the streets in Houston were flooded.[10] Three subdivisions of the city were significantly affected by flooding: Alameda Plaza, Pleasantville, and Sunnyside.[7] Many shingles were blown off the roof of a house, and then water caused the roof to collapse into the dining room and living room. However, no one was injured or killed.[3] Several hundred people were evacuated from places with poor drainage or low-lying areas.[7] Between 150 and 200 houses were affected by flooding and damaged estimates reached $1.5 million in Harris County alone.[10] In addition, three people drowned in the flood waters in Houston.[6]

Following the storm, the town of Port Lavaca requested aid from the United States Navy and Fourth United States Army. Later, cots and blankets were sent by helicopters and trucks.[3] Three schools were opened as shelters for flood refugees in Port Lavaca.[11] The Texas Department of State Health Services sent water and sanitation teams to the areas affected by the storm, as well as 3,000 shots of typhoid vaccine.[10] In addition, Calhoun County was declared a disaster area. Overall, the storm caused $3.6 million and 15 fatalities in the state of Texas.[1][12]

Elsewhere along the Gulf Coast of the United States, light to moderate rainfall was reported in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. In both states, affects were minimal, and rainfall was generally less than 5 inches (130 mm). To the north of Texas in the state of Oklahoma, precipitation was also light, peaking at 4.34 inches (110 mm) in Kiamichi.[13] The storm brought moderate to heavy rainfall throughout Arkansas. Much of the state reported at least 3 inches (76 mm), while precipitation in some areas was more than 10 inches (250 mm).[4] The Ouachita River reached flood stage at Arkadelphia. Three children drowned near Redfield after the car they were occupying was swept off U.S. Route 65 and fell into a ditch.[14] Near Hot Springs, high winds damaged a few buildings.[15] In Tennessee, much of the state reported precipitation, though it was generally no more than 5 inches (130 mm).[4]

Heavy rainfall was reported in Kentucky, peaking at 11.25 inches (286 mm) in Dunmor, making it the wettest tropical cyclone in the history of that state.[16][17] Light precipitation was reported in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri; none of those states experienced more than 4 inches (100 mm) of rain. The storm dropped rainfall was far north as Michigan and Wisconsin. In those two states, precipitation was generally light, and did not exceed 3 inches (76 mm). Rainfall totals reached 2.83 and 2.28 inches (72 and 58 mm) in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively.[16]