STORM2K

The flooding here in the Beaumont area and to the north of here is insane. Yesterday, the water was very high at the bridge near my house where the creek runs (that runs into Pine Island Bayou). Late last night it went over the street, and today it's even higher. I live a couple of miles off of the highway and at the next underpass, there are tons of cars parked under the underpass and all around it, and are being transported to and from their homes by a huge military truck. This is the worst flooding we've seen since the massive flooding in 1994, and some areas are even higher than they were then. Village Creek set a record - it's never been this high. Unfortunately, there are many homes that are flooded and the stories you hear are sad. So many roads are still closed and now we have a good chance of rain tomorrow into Sunday and that will just delay the crests. Hopefully, it won't be enough to make the floodwaters go any higher! A few people have died in either the floodwaters or flood-related accidents.

The NWS just issued a new warning this morning for homes and businesses in North Beaumont, near the Neches River, and those near Pine Island Bayou saying they should take action now to protect property. It's already WAY OVER flood stage and isn't expected to crest until Sunday, and that doesn't take into account any additional rain we get Saturday and Sunday. They say moderate flooding is occurring now and major flooding is expected.

The rising water is floating FEMA Trailers, vehicles and took a nightclub completely off land. I've heard reports of water up to rooftops as the floodwaters rose, many people have been evacuated, and some people have lost everything. There's been many rescues, some of them dangerous as the current was strong. It's just crazy!

Kelly,is your house in danger of being flooded? Stay safe there.

What is the flooding like compared to Rita last year? That's just terrible that much of the Gulf Coast that was hammered by the hurricanes last year are now getting hammered again by thunderstorms.

cyc, I certainly hope not! It's flooding badly just down the street, but I would think that I'm ok here, unless we get a good bit more rain that causes it to keep rising. So many homes and businesses are flooding that have never flooded before. When you see all the flooding with your own eyes, it's just unreal. The pictures just don't do it justice. Here's a few pics from around here though.








Pontoon boat used to take people to and from their homes







From the tornado that hit just west of Beaumont, in China:

Stephanie wrote:What is the flooding like compared to Rita last year? That's just terrible that much of the Gulf Coast that was hammered by the hurricanes last year are now getting hammered again by thunderstorms.

It's a million times worse than the flooding from Rita. Rita brought quite a bit of rain, but nothing like we've had with this. Most of Rita's damage came from wind, and surge along the coast. Many homes that have never flooded before have FEET of water in their homes now.

That is so sad Kelly! I hope that the worst is over for everyone down there.

I had pm'd David when you, Duckie and David were getting all of that flooding, asking him if he floated away yet. Unbelieveable!!!

I cant believe how bad the flooding is in your area. There more showers headed your way across Galveston Bay. I am hoping this front will bring very light totals.
It looking more and more like next Wed-Fri will bring more significant rains which could compound the flooding situation. All of SE TX and SW LA are saturated 100%
Even the 1-2" rains later today and tonight will add additional runoff.

I can't believe it either, and the rain that was supposed to come later this afternoon and tonight...well, it's been POURING here for about 30 minutes or so. With the rain rate at 3 inches per hour the last time I checked and just by observation, there's no doubt I've received at least an inch already, probably more. I know there's a lot of people even more panicked around here now. Unreal...

Yep, until you see it with your own eyes, you have no clue as to how bad things really are. Pictures do it no justice. I hope the water does not reach your home Kelly. I know you have cried "UNCLE" already.

We've already had a few inches of rain today. The creek by my house is now over the road for a much larger area and it's deeper and they just issued a Flood Watch for more rain that is expected tonight.
Also, it takes a long time for this to recede...and they're talking about another big rain event next week. What the heck? This is unreal.
A house here by the creek has a large wooden fence in their yard and you can only see the top of it.

Well, it keeps rising. The last I saw this afternoon, trucks were making it through even though most cars were turning around. It's obviously higher now and the length of it over the water is longer. With some persuasion from family members, I'm leaving. It started backing up into my ditches with today's rains and we're expecting more tonight. Hopefully it won't come, but I guess I shouldn't be here if it does.

ugh...

Wow, I hope your house doesn't get flooded! It sounds pretty bad down there.

Keep us updated Kelly, hope your house is safe...I'm watching video of the flooding there on TWC right now, the flooding looks terrible.

Flooding Prompts Governor to Issue Disaster Proclamation
October 23,2006

NEWS RELEASE FROM OFFICE OF GOVERNOR RICK PERRY


AUSTIN – Governor Rick Perry today issued a disaster proclamation for nine Southeast Texas counties as a result of severe storms and flooding that began Oct. 15. The counties included in the disaster declaration are Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler.

The proclamation is the first step in working with local officials to prepare damage assessments that could qualify affected residents and employers for federal help.

Perry today also directed state officials to begin preparing for additional flooding from Hurricane Paul, should the storm continue on its current path.

“One of the most devastating flood events in Texas history occurred from the remnants of a Pacific hurricane in the fall of 1994, and resulted in 19 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage,” Perry said. “Given the rain-saturated conditions in East and Southeast Texas and the current track of Hurricane Paul, out of an abundance of caution I have directed appropriate state agencies be ready to be sent on search, rescue and recovery operations should the need arise.”

Pacific weather events also contributed to significant flooding, 31 deaths and at least $750 million in damage in 1998.

In response to on-going flooding in Southeast Texas, personnel from the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) have been working side-by-side with local officials to coordinate response and provide assistance with evacuations, flood rescues and sheltering.

The Governor also ordered deployment of two swift water rescue teams from Texas Task Force One to the area over the weekend, along with a team of 20 personnel and 16 high profile vehicles from the Texas Army National Guard. Eight game wardens with boats have also been assisting with evacuations.

Texas Department of Transportation road crews also have been sent to the area. The Public Utility Commission is working with local service providers to maintain utility service in the area. DPS aircraft has been assisting with aerial reconnaissance.

Preliminary reports indicate more than 100 homes have been affected by the flood. Teams from GDEM and local jurisdictions are in the area to assess the extent of the damages.

The governor's disaster declaration opens the door to a variety of assistance from state agencies, including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, (TDHCA), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Office of Rural And Community Affairs (ORCA).

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers emergency assistance through the disaster relief HOME program. This program can provide up to $500,000 per jurisdiction for distribution to qualified individual applicants.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service, which issues emergency assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, can assist communities with a range of projects such as debris removal, erosion control, and repair of bridges and culverts.

Upon request from the governor, qualifying communities with populations less than 50,000 and counties with populations less than 200,000 are eligible to receive up to $350,000 in emergency grants from the Office of Rural Community Affairs for infrastructure losses.

In preparation for Hurricane Paul, the governor has directed the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard to be prepared to send 250 high-profile vehicles and all available aviation assets to affected areas. The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and Texas Task Force One also are on stand-by to send boats and swift-water rescue teams if needed.

scottl@kfdm.com

http://www.kfdm.com/engine.pl?station=k ... ateformat=%M+%e,%Y

Has anyone heard from southerngale? Did she finally leave? I heard it's going to get worse.

Kelly is okay. We finally got in touch with her this morning.

I'm so glad to hear that! I assume she's still not able to get home and has relocated to high ground? Tell her we're all thinking of her.

She was trying to get to her house when I talked to her. She said the current was so strong and it even washed a Hummer into a ditch. She thinks her home is okay. I am praying that she is right!

So she did have to leave, huh? I'm glad that you got in touch with her Lindaloo!

I think the decision was hers to leave. Not sure if it was mandetory or not.