Despite rain totals of 2-3 inches around the greater Orange area Thursday evening and 3.5″ up in Deweyville, Orange County has to feel like it dodged another bullet after what happened in the Houston area.
Houston, especially in the Cypress area, received tornadoes and straight line winds of over 100mph that shattered glass in downtown high rises and took down high tension power lines that left over a million without power. News reports confirm at least four died from the storm.
Earlier this week after more rain, it was the Sulphur and Lake Charles area that had to deal with tornadoes and no electricity after storms passed through our area.
Still, residents along the Sabine and the Neches River will have to deal with some flooding as the water moves south. The Sabine is “predicted” to reach nearly 28ft. by Wednesday which is four feet above flood stage. Deweyville cancelled school on Friday, May 17. Newton Co. Constable Howie Wonders reported to KOGT that County Road 4213, 4203, 4154, and 4139 were dealing with flooded areas.
Orange County prepared for the floodwaters before the rain ever started Thursday by executing a Disaster Declaration. The issuance of a local or state Disaster Declaration allows public officials to exercise emergency powers to preserve life, property, and public health following a disaster.
The good news is that sunshine is in the forecast for the next five days.
Social Media