A nearly stationary cold front along with plentiful moisture, an unstable airmass and a strong upper level disturbance set the stage for the development of 4 tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flooding across the Coastal Bend during the morning hours of April 16th.
Three tornadoes occurred in San Patricio County and 1 tornado in Kleberg County during the morning of the 16th. The tornadoes occurred in the Portland-Gregory area between 523 and 620 AM CDT on the 16th. One of these was rated as an EF-1. Around 50 homes in Portland sustained wind damage along with lots of tree and fence damage. The other two tornadoes near Gregory were rated as EF-0. The lone tornado in Kleberg county was rated an EF-0.
During the morning hours on the 16th, storms continued to develop and move over the same areas due to the upper level flow remaining parallel to the front. This resulted in persistent shower and thunderstorm development over the Coastal Bend and Victoria areas. The result was widespread heavy rainfall between 2 and 6 inches with isolated amounts up to 15 inches over eastern San Patricio and southern Refugio Counties. Devastating floods occurred in Gregory with nearly 80% of the homes flooded. Other reports of flooding occured in Nueces, Refugio and eastern San Patricio counties.

Flash Flood in NUECES, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 09:33:00 to 16-APR-12 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: NUECEVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Intersection of Farm to Market Road 624 and U. S. Highway 77 in Callallen was closed due to high water.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 09:33:00 to 16-APR-12 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND HUNT ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Numerous roads flooded in the Portland area including Farm to Market Road 893 at Memorial Parkway.

Tornado in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 05:20:00 to 16-APR-12 05:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: INGLESIDE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey concluded a tornado touched down in an open field south of Highway 35 about 2 miles east of Gregory. The tornado crossed Highway 35 damaging a few power poles. Maximum winds were estimated at 70 mph.

Tornado in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 04:50:00 to 16-APR-12 04:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREGORY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey concluded a tornado touched down in a field south of Highway 35 just east of Gregory. The tornado flipped over a fireworks stand and damaged the side of an outbuilding. The tornado crossed Highway 35 and dissipated in a field. Maximum winds of 70 mph were estimated.

Tornado in KLEBERG, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 07:35:00 to 16-APR-12 07:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVIERA BEACH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: County Official

Kleberg County official reported tornado near Farm to Market Road 771 east of Riviera.
Photo sent to the office confirmed the tornado report.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 09:23:00 to 16-APR-12 09:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREGORY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts to 60 mph along with pea size hail was reported.

Heavy Rain in NUECES, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 06:45:00 to 16-APR-12 10:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANNAVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Total rainfall of 6.25 inches occurred near Violet Road and Leopard street in Calallen.

Flash Flood in REFUGIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 04:35:00 to 16-APR-12 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONNIE VIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water was over the road on Farm to Market road 1360 and Aransas River Road between Woodsboro and Bayside.

Hail in NUECES, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 11:11:00 to 16-APR-12 11:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOB HALL PIER
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail broke flood lights at the Island Italian Restaurant on North Padre Island.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 06:00:00 to 16-APR-12 06:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREGORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Cars were under water in Gregory near Highway 35.

Hail in NUECES, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 11:27:00 to 16-APR-12 11:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOB HALL PIER
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Ping pong ball sized hail fell on the beach at the Holiday Inn on North Padre Island.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 07:25:00 to 16-APR-12 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREGORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Vehicles became stranded in flooded roadways around Gregory.

Flash Flood in NUECES, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 08:47:00 to 16-APR-12 09:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LON HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Street flooding occurred near Highway 77 and Northwest Boulevard.

Heavy Rain in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 04:30:00 to 16-APR-12 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Storm total rainfall of 8.6 inches occurred near Carmel Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 04:44:00 to 16-APR-12 04:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: INGLESIDE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Damage to farm equipment sheds and power lines down northeast of Gregory.

Heavy Rain in REFUGIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 04:00:00 to 16-APR-12 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAYSIDE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Observer recorded 15 inches of rainfall just southwest of Bayside.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 09:15:00 to 16-APR-12 10:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARANSAS PASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

County roads and fields flooded from more than 15 inches of total rainfall.

Flash Flood in NUECES, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 09:33:00 to 16-APR-12 10:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH BEACH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Numerous roads and intersections flooded in Corpus Christi. Interstate 37 under U. S. Highway 181 and the turnaround near Nueces Causeway was under water.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 06:50:00 to 16-APR-12 07:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Major street flooding occurred in Portland with water at a depth of 1 to 2 feet flowing down the streets.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 06:00:00 to 16-APR-12 07:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 270.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Moore Avenue was impassable between 7 and 8:15 AM due to high water on the road.

Flash Flood in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 09:33:00 to 16-APR-12 10:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREGORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Spur 202 and Farm to Market Road 3284 were flooded in Gregory. Water depth reached 3 feet in some portions of Gregory. There were 8 families that were rescued from the high water. There were 28 people that were placed in a local shelter due to the flooding.
The flood devastated the city of Gregory and the Tradewinds Subdivision 5 miles north of Gregory. In Gregory, 80 percent of the homes were flooded. There were 496 homes with minor damage and 16 homes with major damage. There were 28 businesses in Gregory that received minor damage. In the Tradewinds Subdivision, 26 homes were flooded.

Tornado in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 04:23:00 to 16-APR-12 04:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey concluded a tornado touched down near Lost Creek Drive on the extreme southeast side of Portland. The tornado moved north through the Portland Northshore Country Club producing mainly tree, roof, and fence damage. The tornado moved north into the Bay Ridge subdivision and strengthened. The tornado damaged around 50 homes and several vehicles. Of the homes damaged, 8 received major damage and 15 received minor damage. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be near 100 mph in this area.

Funnel Cloud in KLEBERG, TEXAS
From 16-APR-12 08:35:00 to 16-APR-12 08:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: (NQI)NAS KINGSVILLE
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Funnel cloud was reported east of Kingsville.