Slick Roads & Flood Evacuations After North Texas Rain
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MILLSAP (CBSDFW.COM) - Heavy showers hit parts of the North Texas on Sunday, and while showers fell in some areas Monday morning storms began moving out. However, the rain left behind wet roads across the Metroplex and flooding in the locations that saw the heaviest downpours.
Before the lunch hour, the still rising waters were threatening homes along the Brazos River in Parker County. American Red Cross workers spent the morning setting up a shelter at the Weatherford High School 9th Grade Center, located at 1007 South Main Street in Weatherford.
As volunteers prepared to assist families forced from their homes by floodwaters, the group said that they expect to see about 100 people at the shelter throughout Monday.
"We have approximately 100 residents affected," stated Parker County spokesman Joel Kertok early Monday. "The evacuated people are staying at Soda Springs Baptist Church right now until they can move to the 9th Grade Center."
The next few hours are crucial in determining what happens next. The Brazos River is about 4 1/2 feet over flood stage after the rains fell and Possum Kingdom Lake released water. People say they had little time to escape.
Flood victim Cheryl Van Dyke said, "You know yes, it gives you a little bit of time to get your valued things out and everything, but this come up I think a little faster than expected."
Swift water rescue crews spent the morning going to northwest Parker County houses cut off by rising river water. They found and were able to evacuate nearly a dozen people. Other residents had left the area before connecting roads flooded out.
Officials asked for Texas Task Force One to help out in an area along the Brazos River near Millsap, just south of Mineral Wells. Boats were launched to find and rescue at least some residents from their homes along Riverview Road and Soda Springs Road.
There is also a voluntary evacuation underway in the Horseshoe Bend area of southwest Parker County, where officials expect the Brazos River to crest at 26 feet by noon on Tuesday. Residents who live in places prone to flooding have been urged to find higher ground before it is too late.
Meanwhile, drivers across the Metroplex are being told to take caution on the roads, which remain very wet after showers over the weekend. Some roadways were even under high water Monday morning, including a stretch of Interstate-35E near Illinois Avenue in Dallas. An exit ramp was closed due to flooding. Click here for the latest traffic updates.
Officials in the Venus Independent School District delayed class start times to 10:00 a.m. on Monday due to flooded roads.
Motorists should remember to "turn around, don't drown" when they approach high water on the roads. And even the streets which are not flooded will remain slick throughout Monday, so it is important to drive slowly and give yourself plenty of time to navigate through the traffic.