East Texas has been hit by several severe rainstorms this spring, and several counties have declared disasters.
— a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.LUFKIN — East Texans are bracing for an evacuation order in Polk County to stay in place for several days after heavy rainfall led the Trinity River to overflow, forcing operators at a nearby dam to release the floodgates.
This is an unusual total for the region, which typically sees less than an inch of rain per day. But storms formed and reformed above Polk County and those north of it, leaving the county in a deluge over the weekend. Many East Texas counties were already under a disaster declaration after storms throughout most of April led to flooding. Gov.a disaster declaration for Jasper County and those surrounding it following storms that damaged personal property that began April 8.
“We cannot risk sending people in when the conditions aren't safe either,” Murphy said. “So we needed people to come out while the conditions were still manageable.” Flooded roadways present an increased risk for travelers. Six inches of water can sweep away someone who is walking. A foot of water can sweep away a car. Murphy said some roadways are covered by two to three feet of water, meaning drivers have no idea what to expect.maintained by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office indicated nearly a dozen roadways were not passable or were completely washed out as of April 30.
Environment Livingston Jasper County Polk County East Texas Texas Legislature
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