11 inches of rain swamp Yoakum
Above: A car is stranded in flood waters off the bridge over Brushy Creek on State Highway 77 A in Yoakum. The Yoakum Fire Department reported 7 high-water rescues from homes and a vehicle.
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RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF
Residents who need disaster relief assistance may contact the Yoakum Police Department at 361-293-5234.
FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Northern DeWitt County, Southern Gonzales County and ...
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RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF
Residents who need disaster relief assistance may contact the Yoakum Police Department at 361-293-5234.
FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Northern DeWitt County, Southern Gonzales County and Lavaca County.
Heavy downpours from scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms moving slowly over the coastal plains between Cuero and Hallettsville are likely producing flash flooding.
Rainfall amounts of one to two inches will fall over already saturated grounds and aggravate ongoing flooding of creeks, small streams and roads.
Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to Yoakum, Sublime, Shiner, Hochheim, Hallettsville, Ezzell and Cheapside.
YOAKUM - After being rescued from her home, Lois Foxell discovered Sunday's floods had done more damage.
"It's a disaster," she said, standing at the edge of her ranchland near Brushy Creek on Sunday afternoon. "But that's nature."
Almost all 30 of her cattle and calves were washed away after heavy rains in Yoakum caused flash floods in low-lying areas.
"All I could say was, 'Oh my God,'" she said, becoming emotional as she watched the water rush over her fence line. "I prayed for rain, but I didn't pray for this much."
The National Weather Service in San Antonio reported 11 inches of rain fell in Yoakum between the hours of 6 and 10 a.m. Sunday. Another 3.6 inches of rain fell Saturday.
"That's a significant amount, regardless of how dry the ground is," said Tawnya Evans, forecaster with the National Weather Service. "It's not uncommon to have a lot of rain during these months. Now 11 inches is definitely not common."
Rains were caused by a warm front moving north and low-pressure disturbances, she said.
"It was an eventful morning," said Steven Stary, a firefighter with the Yoakum Fire Department.
The department responded to about seven high-water rescues from homes and a vehicle, he said. No injuries were reported.
"It was a lot higher than I've ever seen it," said Marvin Seitz, a Victoria resident who was cleaning his mother's flooded home on Highway 111 just outside the city limits.
"We've had it get up to the house, but it's never been in the house," he said.
Flood waters washed away bits of a bridge in front of the property.
City crews responded to repair the structure about 1 p.m.
The bridge at McCoy Creek near Hochheim was also closed about 11 a.m. as flood waters covered the roadway. As of 7 p.m. Sunday, no streets were reported closed in the city limits, according to Yoakum police.
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms was forecast for Monday. A slight chance of showers was forecast for Tuesday.
"It'll get better," said Foxell, teary-eyed while watching the water recede. "My husband passed away, and I'm trying to make a living out of it. We needed rain, but by golly I didn't need this."
Comments
I was returning to Yoakum Sunday from being out of state when we received word from my daughter that our home was surrounded by high water and it was rising fast. My daughter was at home with 5 children and her car and her fathers truck already had water in it and she could not leave. We live in Lavaca County so she called the Sheriffs Dept and spoke with the officer on duty. Deputy Heiman informed my daughter that no one could come get her or the children unless there was a medical emergency. Kellys creek runs through our property and it was out of the banks and missed getting into our home by bare inches. We live in a trailer and she was afraid the rushing water would wash the blocks out from under the trailer. her next step was to call Yoakum Fire Dept for assistance and was told that if it was not a medical emergency then they could not come get her or the children and was told by Steven Stary to have a family member come get her and the children.....no one could get to her due to chest high water. Next on the list she called Yoakum Police Dept and she was told if the water kept rising they would find a way to come get them. Thank God the water started to recede. Does Lavaca County have access to a boat or do they need to invest in one and have all emergency personnel take water rescue training. We pay county taxes and I expect when a call for help comes out for someone to respond or make an attempt. People were rescued in Yoakum by boats why not out at Pilot Grove. I work in the medical field and I realize how dangerous water rescue can be but my daughter and grandchildren were left to suffer. Maybe because it was Sunday and football was on I don't know what the problem is but THANK YOU Yoakum P.D. to be willing to try and help if needed and THANK the Lord my daughter and 5 Grandchildren were still able to remain safe. As for Brandy she felt helpless and felt like she had no one to turn to for help.
October 5, 2009 at 9:26 p.m.How much did Victoria get?
October 5, 2009 at 5:22 p.m.everybody wanted rain so here it is you know in texas we either get it all or none at all....
October 5, 2009 at 5:07 p.m.After all that rain it may very well be that Yoakum is no longer in the state of Texas, but may now reside in the Gulf of Mexico!
October 5, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.Apparently, Yoakum is not located in the state of Texas. Morning news programs report highest weekend rain totals in New Braunfels at just short of 6 inches.
October 5, 2009 at 5:48 a.m.What a very sad lost. Many individuals do not realize that market price of the cattle can not be written off of taxes, only the expenses assoicated with cattle. It is similar to working for a pay check and your employer or general contractor goes broke before you get paid.
October 4, 2009 at 11:39 p.m.