Officials: Brazos River Flooding To Worsen
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW) - The National Weather Service River Forecasters are predicting a second and much higher crest of the Brazos River in Parker County.
Just a day after homeowners near the river were warned to evacuate over concerns it would crest and rise to a level of 23.5 feet on Thursday - authorities are now expecting the waters to crest near 27 feet by Saturday night, May 30th.
"The river is already above flood stage and will continue to rise through today and tomorrow," Parker County Emergency Management Coordinator George Teague said. "This situation will get worse before it gets better."
Parker County Judge Mark Riley has declared a disaster and has urged residents all along the Brazos River and other flood prone areas in Parker County to remain vigilant and to avoid high waters.
"Our residents in Horseshoe Bend, Soda Springs, Lazy Bend and other flood prone areas along the Brazos River should make evacuation plans and leave as soon as possible if they have not already left," Riley said. "This new crest is likely to inundate homes in low lying areas along the river."
The Brazos River is currently at 21.57 feet. It has not been this high since 2007.
An emergency shelter is now open at the Weatherford Independent School District's 9th grade center for those residents who do decide to evacuate their homes.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)