City Has It’s Wettest Day Ever

ABILENE, Texas (AP) — A West Texas city has had its wettest day since forecasters began keeping rainfall records for the area in 1886.

The National Weather Service says Abilene on Tuesday received 8.26 inches of rain, leading to street flooding and high-water rescues. Abilene remained under a flash flood watch until Wednesday afternoon, with a 50 percent chance of showers.

Forecaster Jim Wingenroth (WING'-en-rahth) says a frontal boundary stalled over the area Tuesday, at times dumping 2-3 inches of rain per hour.

He says the previous daily rainfall record for Abilene was set on May 11, 1928, with 6.54 inches. The prior record rainfall for July 7 in Abilene happened in 1905, with 2.47 inches of rain.

Abilene police officers Tuesday responded to at least 70 reports of stalled vehicles or accidents.