Last year the wettest on record for Texas

  • 2016-01-12
Storm after storm made 2015 the wettest year for Texas since record-keeping began in 1895. The state saw more than 41 inches of rain last year.

In the Houston metro area alone, from Webster to Pearland to Spring, annual rainfall was 20 inches above average.

The 10 rainiest days in Texas in 2015 were May 24 and 26; June 17; October 23, 24, 25, and 31; November 28; and December 13 and 28.

According to Ron Sass, fellow in global climate change at Rice University in Houston, storm intensity is increasing. Many environmental experts believe that a combination of phenomenal global weather patterns and age-old climate models incited by greenhouse-gas emissions are to blame for the downpours.

The nine other rainiest years in Texas history were 1941, 1919, 2004, 1991, 2007, 1957, 1973, 1923, and 1900.

In October, the Houston Chronicle reported that statewide flood damages are expensive. They cost an estimated $3bn in Texas last year, mainly due to road repair costs.

A spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas says he expects billions of dollars’ worth of homeowner claims. He has no estimates for claims related to vehicle and commercial property damages.

Branded umbrellas may be the promotional product of 2016 for insurance companies. Home and garden companies may consider putting coupons through mail services for rain barrels and other water collection equipment.