Homes, apartments and businesses throughout Angelina County were flood damaged Thursday evening as more than four inches of rain drenched the already-saturated area.
According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms are expected before 1 p.m. today, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm are likely after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent with a high near 63 and a north wind around 5 mph. For tonight there's a chance of showers, with a low around 45 and a west wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Joel Andrews/The Lufkin Daily News |
Volunteers rescue Trey, Reid, Jaime and Marty Hensley from the front porch of their business, American Real Estate, at 1313 South John Redditt Drive Thursday night. Heavy rain flooded structures across Lufkin.
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At the loop and Turtle Creek Drive four people were rescued by boat from American Real Estate around 9:15 p.m. Thursday, after not being able to get out for at about two hours.
Jaime and Marty Hensley and young sons Trey and Reid were in the office building when the water began to rise in the parking lot.
"Reid ran upstairs first and told me my car was under water," Jaime Hensley said. "Then later Trey came and told me our trailer was floating in the parking lot. My husband had to go out and connect it."
Jaime Hensley, who runs American Real Estate, said the water got up to the porch but she didn't think there was any water damage to the inside of the building. She said she was working late in the office and that the water got too high for them to leave at about 7 p.m.
Across the street, Brent Pitts waded through high waters to check the status of his house.
Pitts said the water rose pretty quick around 6 p.m. He said he'd gotten some sand bags from a neighbor and by the time he got the sand bags in place and went inside for a few minutes to move the furniture off the floor, he noticed the water was up the door on the vehicle.
Pitts said he has an 8-window door at the back of his house and only two windows were not under water a little after 9 p.m.
Residents in apartments at Lazy Oaks and Hidden Oaks were evacuated from the first floor of their buildings.
Scanner traffic reported a number of stalled vehicles and stranded motorists.
A flood warning continues until further notice for the Neches River near Diboll, according to the NWS Forecast office in Shreveport. The water was nearing flood stage by Thursday morning at 11.7 feet. Flood stage is 12 feet. The river is expected to rise to near 12.7 feet by Tuesday morning.
The press release advised Texans to monitor local media or NOAA Weather Radio during severe weather events for any statements and/or warnings by the NWS.
As little as six inches of water moving over a road can lift and move a vehicle. Twelve to 24 inches can sweep away any type of vehicle, including large trucks and SUVs.
Gov. Rick Perry has directed the activation of state search and rescue capabilities, including Texas Military Forces and Texas Task Force 1 (TTF-1) personnel and resources due to heavy rains and potential flooding threatening Texas communities, according to a press release Thursday.
"Storms stretching across the state have created dangerous flash flood conditions that can form quickly, and I urge Texans in communities impacted by these storms to be cautious and pay attention to changing weather conditions," Gov. Perry stated in the release. "As rainfall continues, the state is taking precautionary measures in the event assistance is needed, and I appreciate the brave men and women who are always ready to respond to an event that places Texans in harm's way."
Heavy rains over the last few days have saturated many areas and left rivers at or above flood stage.
The following state resources were scheduled to be pre-positioned Thursday afternoon:
? 72 Texas Military Forces personnel (12 each to Austin, Beaumont, Houston, Longview, Lufkin and San Antonio)
? 20 Texas Military Forces high profile vehicles (five each) to Longview, Lufkin, Beaumont and Houston
? 2 Texas Military Forces UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and 2 TTF-1 search and rescue personnel in Austin
? 2 Texas Military Forces UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and 2 TTF-1 search and rescue personnel in San Antonio
? 6 TTF-1 swiftwater rescue teams on standby
The State Operations Center is fully activated and working with the National Weather Service to closely monitor this severe weather event, the release stated.
City Editor Ashley Cook contributed to this story. Her e-mail is acook@lufkindailynews.com.
