Motorists are urged to be aware of incidents of flashing flooding in the East Texas area. The Texas Department of Transportation has mapped several areas of closure. Turn around, don't drown is being emphasized by authorities.
In Delta County residents had to be evacuated by local volunteer fire fighters and law enforcement. According to law enforcement the home was located at 1918 Farm-to-Market 1531 near Klondike.
"This is most flooding along FM 1531 I had seen in my time with Delta County," said Lieutenant Ryan Brown, who has been with DCSO since 2011. The water was over the five foot flood gauge. "I have never seen it at this magnitude." He waded shin to knee-deep water during the evacuation.
The North Sulphur River had flooded over its banks.
Some areas reported a range of over eight to 11 inches of rain over the span of the night.
"Fortunately, we didn't have any other rescues," said Lieutenant Brown, noting driving around a barricade is a Class B Misdemeanor and can result in a trip to jail, especially if first responders' lives are put at risk.
Delta County closures include: FM 71, FM 1531, FM 904 (water is receding), FM 2068 (water is receding). Emergency personal had to perform a high water rescue on State Highway 11 northwest of Commerce. A pickup driver attempted to drive across SH 11 which had been breached by the flashing flooding of the Middle Sulphur River. Fortunately for all involved no injuries or fatalities were reported. Hunt County Scanner posted a video of the flooded road on their Facebook page.
Law enforcement remind drivers not to drive through water over the road or around barricades.
"Even if there isn't currently water flowing over the road, the TxDOT barricades stay in place until the road surface can be surveyed," added Brown. "It is for driver's safety - just in case there is a risk of a washout."
He was among several law enforcement patrolling the area for flooding and was relieved to see drivers adhering to "turn around, don't drown."
Several homes and businesses along State Highway 24 were affected by the high waters. Law enforcement report that State Highway 24 between Commerce and Cooper still remains open for travel.
While flooding neared the North Sulphur River bridge between Cooper and Paris, at this time the road remains open.
Hopkins County Sheriff's Office release this update Sunday morning:
Hwy 19 North (receding at this time) and a lot of County Roads North of Sulphur Springs are under water. 24 hr rain total at the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office is currently 8.76 inches.
Roads Under Water:HWY 19, North of Sulphur Springs has been cleared as of 2:56 p.m.
I-30 Eastbound at 141 mm, Major accident in Franklin County has roadway shut down
FM 69 North of Fm 1537 and North of I-30
FM 269 South of I-30
FM 2653 North of Brashear
FM 3134 between Hwy 11 West and FM 71
FM 71 West at the County Line
FM 3236 (Pavement has washed away)
FM 900 is now underwater
Most County Roads in Northern Hopkins County
Visit http://DriveTexas.org for current map.