In an alarming escalation of weather events, East Texas is currently grappling with severe flooding conditions, leading to urgent evacuations. The recent torrential downpours have led to life-threatening situations reminiscent of Hurricane Harvey’s devastating floods in 2017. The community, still vivid with the harsh memories of past storms, finds itself facing another formidable challenge.
East Texas: Record Rainfall Hits Region
The relentless rain has left its mark across the region, with some areas recording staggering 24-hour rainfall totals exceeding 7 inches. Over the past few days, these numbers have risen, with cumulative totals surpassing 12 inches. Particularly hard-hit, Waterwood and Sebastopol saw totals reaching 10 and 9 inches, respectively, within a single day. Along Lake Livingston, rainfall gauges have captured an astonishing 17 to 20 inches since Sunday alone.
With DETCOG board members & @TrentAshbyTX looking on, President Jeff Boyd accepts a $42.6 million ceremonial check from @DrBuckinghamTX of @TXGLO to fund broadband and interoperable radio infrastructure in areas of Deep East Texas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. pic.twitter.com/CC2eVTmOgg
— DETCOG (@DETCOG) November 22, 2023
Officials Sound the Alarm for Immediate Action
Amidst rising water levels, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has been at the forefront, addressing the urgency of the situation. “There was a lot of rain north of Houston Wednesday night and over the last couple days, and that’s going to have some really severe impact for folks,” Hidalgo reported. The increasing severity led her to compare the current conditions unfavorably with those during Hurricane Harvey, noting that the situation on the east side of the San Jacinto River is “worse than we imagined.”
Mandatory evacuations have been enforced, stretching from FM Road 1485 to Lake Houston. With the river normally flowing at 45-50 feet, it surged to a daunting 70 feet by Tuesday, spurred by continued influx from upriver. The situation is predicted to worsen, with forecasts indicating a potential rise of another 8 feet, dangerously close to the peak levels seen during Hurricane Harvey.
Hidalgo stressed the critical nature of the evacuations: “This is significantly higher water, which is going to impact mobility and your ability to take care of yourself and your family. We want you out of this area. We can’t force anyone to do anything, but this is a life-threatening situation.”
East Texas Flood Alert: Safety First as Residents Brace for Deluge
Residents are urged to heed evacuation orders and prepare for possible isolation as floodwaters could impact roads, bridges, and basic infrastructure. Hidalgo highlighted additional dangers, such as water reaching elevated structures and potential contact with power lines, which could jeopardize both public and emergency responders’ safety. “That means elevated structures will get water … it means the water will be hitting power lines, which puts our emergency evacuation vehicles at risk because they’re not going to be able to see those power lines,” she explained.
As the community bands together in the face of this natural disaster, the priority remains clear: safety first. With historical precedents painting a grim picture, the urgency to act promptly and safeguard lives and property cannot be overstated. As East Texas confronts this calamity, the resilience and preparedness of its people will once again be put to the test.
