• U.S.
  • weather

May Is Already the Wettest Month in Texas History

2 minute read
A home on the Blanco River was taken off its foundation after heavy overnight rain caused flash flooding in Wimberley, Texas, May 24, 2015.
A home on the Blanco River was taken off its foundation after heavy overnight rain caused flash flooding in Wimberley, Texas, May 24, 2015.Rodolfo Gonzalez—AP
By Justin Worland

Flooding in Texas has taken the lives of at least 19 people and caused a virtual standstill across the state with school closings and road closures. It turns out all that rainfall has also set at least one new record: May 2015 is now the wettest month in state history, with over four days still to go.

Across Texas, the average rainfall in May has measured 7.54 inches, beating the June 2004 record of 6.66 inches, according to figures provided by the Office of the State Climatologist at Texas A&M University. The wettest region, located adjacent to Dallas-Fort Worth area, has received more than 20 inches of rain.

Witness the Aftermath of Severe Floods in Texas

The parking lot of a Wal-Mart is submerged after the San Marcos River flooded in San Marcos, Texas on May 24, 2015.
The parking lot of a Wal-Mart is submerged after the San Marcos River flooded in San Marcos, Texas on May 24, 2015. Rodolfo Gonzalez—AP
A home was taken off its foundation after heavy overnight rain caused flash flooding on the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas on May 24, 2015.
A home was taken off its foundation after heavy overnight rain caused flash flooding on the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas on May 24, 2015. Rodolfo Gonzalez—AP
Dustin McClintock, Brandon Bankston, and Hesston Krause look at the destroyed remains of the Fischer Store Road bridge over the Blanco River near Wimberley, Texas on May 24, 2015.
Dustin McClintock, Brandon Bankston, and Hesston Krause look at the destroyed remains of the Fischer Store Road bridge over the Blanco River near Wimberley, Texas on May 24, 2015.Jay Janner—TNS/Landov
San Marcos Firefighter Jay Horton rescues a woman from the flood waters in San Marcos, Texas on May 24, 2015.
San Marcos Firefighter Jay Horton rescues a woman from the flood waters in San Marcos, Texas on May 24, 2015. Don Anders—Reuters
Lucas Rivas looks into the flooded Whole Earth Provisions Company after days of heavy rain in Austin on May 25, 2015.
Lucas Rivas looks into the flooded Whole Earth Provisions Company after days of heavy rain in Austin on May 25, 2015.Drew Anthony Smith—Getty Images
Gordon Welch surveys damage to the house his family has owned since 1964 along River Road next to the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas, May 24, 2015.
Gordon Welch surveys damage to the house his family has owned since 1964 along River Road next to the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas, May 24, 2015.Kelly West—AP
Cars sit in floodwaters along Interstate 45 after heavy overnight rain flooded parts of the highway in Houston on May 26, 2015.
Cars sit in floodwaters along Interstate 45 after heavy overnight rain flooded parts of the highway in Houston on May 26, 2015. David J. Phillip—AP
Hays County Deputy Constable John Ellen patrols River Road near by the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas on May 25, 2015.
Hays County Deputy Constable John Ellen patrols River Road near by the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas on May 25, 2015. Jerry Lara—EPA

“It has been one continuous storm after another for the past week to 10 days in several regions of the state,” State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said in a statement. “It has rained so much that the ground just can’t soak any more moisture into it, and many creeks and rivers are above flood stage.”

The beginning of El Niño and the flow of wet air from the South have both contributed to the record downpour, according to Nielsen-Gammon. He predicted that the wet weather should change within the next few days.

In some parts of the state, rivers and reservoirs went from 20% to 100% capacity in the past month. Still, a drought remained in other parts of America’s largest contiguous state.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com