Farther downstream, the Nueces River continues to rise, with major flooding ongoing in rural McMullen County near Texas 16. The next town expected to see flooding is Three Rivers, a community of nearly 1,500 people in Live Oak County about 75 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Soon after, flooding is expected to spread into George West, about 10 miles southeast of Three Rivers along U.S. 281.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, The Nueces River on the south side of Three Rivers remained below 10 feet. However, rising river levels are imminent, with the river forecast to reach about 17 feet by the end of the day.
By Wednesday afternoon, the river is forecast to rise past its minor flood stage of 25 feet before quickly climbing above major flood stage – 35 feet – by Thursday. According to the National Water Prediction Service, the Nueces is forecast to crest at 40.4 feet Friday afternoon and remain above major flood stage through the weekend.
If the forecast holds, it would mark the eighth-highest crest ever recorded near Three Rivers and the highest crest since 2007.
Floodwaters at that level are expected to inundate several homes throughout the floodplain from Three Rivers south through George West and toward Lake Corpus Christi. The River Creek Acres subdivision – about 5 miles southeast of George West – is especially vulnerable as up to 4 feet of water is expected to flood homes.
Flooding is also expected to affect the following areas:
Finally, the flooded Nueces River will flow into Lake Corpus Christi by the middle of next week, which will bring a welcome boost to lake levels. As of Wednesday morning, the surface elevation of the lake stood at 82.9 feet above sea level, which means it is considered to be only 32% full. Earlier this year, the lake had fallen to an all-time low of just 8.3% full in mid-April.
As runoff from the Nueces River reaches the lake, water levels could rise by several feet, potentially rising near or even past 50% full.