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Texas floods: cities brace for more as officials warn of rivers overflowing Texas floods: cities brace for more as officials warn of rivers overflowing
(about 1 hour later)
While the barrage of deadly thunderstorms that hit Texas has tapered off, several cities aren’t out of danger, as officials warn about possible flooding as the week goes on from rivers swollen by rainfall.While the barrage of deadly thunderstorms that hit Texas has tapered off, several cities aren’t out of danger, as officials warn about possible flooding as the week goes on from rivers swollen by rainfall.
In suburban Houston, the rains have sent the San Jacinto River above flood stage, and its waters were expected to cover streets in subdivisions along the west fork of the river, possibly stranding people their homes for several days if they didn’t leave. In suburban Houston, the rains have sent the San Jacinto river above flood stage, and its waters were expected to cover streets in subdivisions along the west fork of the river, possibly stranding people in their homes for several days if they didn’t leave.
In Wharton, about 60 miles southwest of Houston, the mayor asked residents who live in 300 homes on the west side of the city to voluntarily evacuate due to the predicted rise of the Colorado River. In the Parker County town of Horseshoe Bend in North Texas, officials asked about 250 residents to leave their homes as the Brazos River was expected to rise above its flood stage of 21ft on Thursday. In Wharton, about 60 miles south-west of Houston, the mayor asked residents who live in 300 homes on the west side of the city to voluntarily evacuate due to the predicted rise of the Colorado River. In the Parker County town of Horseshoe Bend in north Texas, officials asked about 250 residents to leave their homes as the Brazos river was expected to rise above its flood stage of 21ft on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in Central Texas, crews continued searching for nine people feared dead after the swollen Blanco River smashed through Wimberley, a small tourist town between San Antonio and Austin, over the Memorial Day weekend. In Houston, residents whose homes were flooded by torrential rains on Monday and Tuesday also continued their cleanup efforts. The storms and floods in Texas and Oklahoma this week have left at least 21 people dead and about a dozen others missing. Meanwhile, in central Texas, crews continued searching for nine people feared dead after the swollen Blanco river smashed through Wimberley, a small tourist town between San Antonio and Austin, over the Memorial Day weekend. In Houston, residents whose homes were flooded by torrential rains on Monday and Tuesday also continued their cleanup efforts. The storms and floods in Texas and Oklahoma this week have left at least 21 people dead and about a dozen others missing.
While the Houston area got a respite from rainy weather for most of Wednesday, the heavy rains from earlier in the week were still making their way downstream. By late Wednesday, the San Jacinto was at 52ft, nearly 3ft above its flood stage, said Kim Jackson, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Flood Control District. While the Houston area got a respite from rainy weather for most of Wednesday, the heavy rains from earlier in the week were still making their way downstream. By late Wednesday, the San Jacinto was at 52ft, nearly 3ft above its flood stage, said Kim Jackson, a spokeswoman for the Harris County flood control district.
“We’re advising residents to take any measures that they deem appropriate for their safety as the river continues to rise,” she said.“We’re advising residents to take any measures that they deem appropriate for their safety as the river continues to rise,” she said.
Joey Shedd, 23, didn’t plan on evacuating his home in the Moonshine Hill neighborhood located along the San Jacinto. Shedd said his home was safe as it stands on stilts, but he expected his parents’ home next door to flood as it was not off the ground.Joey Shedd, 23, didn’t plan on evacuating his home in the Moonshine Hill neighborhood located along the San Jacinto. Shedd said his home was safe as it stands on stilts, but he expected his parents’ home next door to flood as it was not off the ground.
“It hasn’t been this bad since Hurricane Ike (in 2008). This barely makes it to my house,” he said of the all-terrain vehicle he was using to ride across the flooded roadway that leads to his neighborhood located in a rural area northeast of Houston. “It hasn’t been this bad since Hurricane Ike [in 2008]. This barely makes it to my house,” he said of the all-terrain vehicle he was using to ride across the flooded roadway that leads to his neighborhood located in a rural area north-east of Houston.
Chuck Bayne was among those who decided to follow the advice of officials and leave his North Texas home in Horseshoe Bend, about 70 miles west of Dallas. On Wednesday, Bayne, owner of the Brazos RV Resort, headed to his second home in Arlington.Chuck Bayne was among those who decided to follow the advice of officials and leave his North Texas home in Horseshoe Bend, about 70 miles west of Dallas. On Wednesday, Bayne, owner of the Brazos RV Resort, headed to his second home in Arlington.
“Everybody on the river is leaving – except you have a couple dozen who aren’t leaving. They’re afraid of looters, and some are just plain stubborn,” he said.“Everybody on the river is leaving – except you have a couple dozen who aren’t leaving. They’re afraid of looters, and some are just plain stubborn,” he said.
In Wharton, the Colorado River was predicted by Friday to crest at 45.8ft, which is nearly 7ft above its flood stage. In Wharton, the Colorado river was predicted by Friday to crest at 45.8ft, which is nearly 7ft above its flood stage.
“Our main concern was getting residents ahead of the game and giving them notice to voluntary evacuate,” said Paula Favors, city secretary in Wharton, which has more than 8,800 residents.“Our main concern was getting residents ahead of the game and giving them notice to voluntary evacuate,” said Paula Favors, city secretary in Wharton, which has more than 8,800 residents.
In Houston, between 800 and 1,400 homes have already been damaged by the flooding. Thousands of homes were also damaged or destroyed in the central Texas corridor that includes Wimberley – 744 of them in San Marcos alone.In Houston, between 800 and 1,400 homes have already been damaged by the flooding. Thousands of homes were also damaged or destroyed in the central Texas corridor that includes Wimberley – 744 of them in San Marcos alone.
This has been the wettest month on record for Texas, even with several days left. The state climatologist’s office said Wednesday that Texas has gotten an average of 7.54in of rain in May, breaking the old record of 6.66in , set in June 2004. While rain is in the forecast the next couple of days for many of the affected areas, the chances for showers are greater during the weekend. This has been the wettest month on record for Texas, even with several days left. The state climatologist’s office said on Wednesday that Texas has received an average of 7.54in of rain in May, breaking the old record of 6.66in , set in June 2004. While rain is in the forecast the next couple of days for many of the affected areas, the chances for showers are greater during the weekend.
On the banks of the Blanco in Central Texas, Brian Martinez and his wife, Pam, continued Wednesday to clean up their home after it was swamped when the river crested Sunday. On the banks of the Blanco in central Texas, Brian Martinez and his wife, Pam, continued on Wednesday to clean up their home after it was swamped when the river crested Sunday.
“I’ve cried all day,” said Pam Martinez. “Every time I opened a drawer and saw there was more water. It was too much for me.”“I’ve cried all day,” said Pam Martinez. “Every time I opened a drawer and saw there was more water. It was too much for me.”