Some people living in western Orange County went through post-Harvey traumatic stress as heavy rains Tuesday morning flooded streets and sent water into houses.
Orange County and the American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Expo Center on FM 1142 for people who have flooded houses. Thirty cots were initially set up.
A tropical wave of moisture has been hanging over Southeast Texas for three days. A heavy band stayed over the Port Arthur-Beaumont area, along with Bridge City, Orangefield, Vidor, and Rose City in Orange County. Some 5-10 inches fell in the western part within six hours. The deluge came on top of an inch during the night and more on Monday. The National Weather Service was predicting 2-4 inches of rain for the area going into the day.
The city of Bridge City, along with Orange County precinct maintenance barns in Bridge City, Vidor, and Little Cypress, opened with bags and sand for people to make their own sandbags. The sandbag materials in Mauriceville were set up near the Highway 62 and 12 intersection.
Many roads were closed in the affected areas that are listed below. Photographs on social media showed water up to, and inside of, houses in some areas. One of those pictures showed Tyler Estates in Bridge City off FM 1442 near the Entergy power plant in the Bessie Heights Marsh area. A house with water had a FEMA trailer installed for the homeowners after Harvey.
The city of Orange did not get the heavy rains that other areas received, but at 1 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning, though no damage was reported. Steady rains brought another two inches of rain to the Greater Orange Area on Tuesday.
The rains brought Lamar State College-Orange to close for the afternoon. The Orange City Council canceled a called meeting to discuss flood mitigation.
The National Weather Service is predicting a 70% chance of rain for Orange County on Wednesday with a quarter to an inch of rain possible.
(pictured: Corner of David and Jeanette Streets in BC)
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Roads that were covered in water at some point Tuesday according to the OC Emergency Management Office.
Bell Ave. – B. C.
Turner Road off FM 1442 & FM 1442 @ 105 in Orange Under Water
Hillcrest – B.C.
Texas Ave. @ Roundbunch under water- B.C.
Bessie Heights- B.C.
Tyler Estates- B.C. Flooded entrance
Michelle Ave.- Vidor
Claiborne- Vidor
N. Linscombe off Hwy 12- Vidor underwater
Mansfield in Vidor there is a tree over the roadway
OIlla- Orange Under Water
BLK Orange Street- Vidor Underwater
Service Road near truck stop in Rose City Underwater
Rose City Under Passes Taking in Water
Strong Road of Cajun Way- Orangefield
Bessie Heights in Orange
Social Media