Parker County Resident Optimistic As Brazos River Recedes
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HORSESHOE BEND (CBSDFW.COM) - More than 100 residents of Horseshoe Bend, on the banks of the Brazos River in Parker County, are keeping a close eye on floodwaters today. But for the first time in 48 hours what they're seeing is positive.
The water crested five feet over flood stage, at about 26 feet, early Tuesday morning and then began receding. A firefighter in the area said it had gone down a foot in just a couple of hours.
The water was going down almost as quickly as it rose late Sunday night and early Monday morning. Emergency crews spent Monday rescuing 30 people in the Horseshoe Bend area, who were stranded or in danger of being stranded in their homes.
High water swallowed roads and inched closer to taking over piers and homes near the rivers edge. Many homeowners opted to leave their houses behind.
Tuesday, many area residents patrolled the banks of the horseshoe shaped river bend looking at flooded homes, gauging the waters recession and sharing stories of floods they weathered in years past.
Residents agreed the high waters years ago were much worse than the moderate floods that happened this week. Now homeowners like Debbie Daugherty are hoping there won't be more rain upriver that causes the water to rise again.
"Hopefully in three or four days I'll be able to get to my house," she said.
Daugherty's house, like many others, sits on top of a large storage area essentially making it a two-story home. That elevation has kept her living area above water.
As far as what the future holds ahead Daugherty, who has lived in the area for nearly 30 years, said, "I mean, it's going to be a mess to clean up. It always is. But, like I said, that's the price you pay when you live on the river."
Some of those residents were able to get away from the water on their own, but rescue crews in Horseshoe Bend had to bring about 30 people to safety on Monday as the river became swift. At one point, rescuers even used a big dump truck to help out a homeowner and his pets.
Emergency crews remain on standby today ready to help anyone in need.
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