Belton Lake's water levels have been significantly boosted over the past few days after severe weather brought torrential rain to Texas.
Drought has plagued the Southwest U.S. for years, drastically impacting water levels at reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Last summer, Belton, Texas, in Bell County, went without rain for months. The drought severely depleted the water levels at the lake, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Water levels have since started to recover this winter and steeply increased over three days this week, when Belton received over 7 inches of rain.
According to a Water Data for Texas report, Belton Lake's capacity increased by 5 percent over its levels a week ago. As of Thursday morning, it was over 75 percent full. Six months ago, the lake was 55 percent full.
As of Thursday morning, Belton Lake was at more than 584 feet. This time last year, the lake was at around 579 feet. At its lowest point last year, it was at 574 feet.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Specialist Clay Church told Newsweek that the lake is still more than 9 feet below full pool.
The massive storm system wreaked havoc across several Gulf Coast states. East of Belton in Kirbyville, Texas, flash flooding closed Highway 96 and first responders were engaged in rescue efforts throughout the city on Wednesday, according to a FOX Weather report. "The city is underwater," said Kirbyville Mayor Frank George.
Belton might have received more than 7 inches of rain in 24 hours, but George estimated that parts of his city received around 12 inches of rain during the stormy weather in total.
Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) by phone for comment.
The destructive, moisture-laden storm system caused damage elsewhere, spawning a tornado in Slidell, Louisiana, that damaged "anything in its path," according to extreme storm chaser Reed Timmer, who filmed a live stream video of his pursuit of the storm.
Tornado damage also was reported near Houston, where winds of 90 miles per hour were reported.
Up to 10 inches of rain was expected in parts of Louisiana. Forecasts predicted that Little Rock, Arkansas, could experience four times its weekly rainfall in only three days.
The storm killed at least one person in Mississippi and caused damage to dozens of homes across the state.
Update 04/11/24, 9:40 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
