Over 100 Water Rescues Performed in 1hr, Officials Prepare Disaster Declaration

 

SAN ANGELO, TX — More than 100 water rescues took place in just one hour early Friday as near-record rainfall flooded homes, streets and highways across San Angelo and Tom Green County, prompting officials to begin the process of declaring a disaster and urging residents to stay off dangerous roads.

Tom Green County Judge Lane Carter said storms developed over San Angelo overnight, dumping significant rainfall in a concentrated area.

“This rain event has been close to some record amounts of what we’ve seen in the past, all in one place,” Carter said during a press conference at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center. “At this time, we are in the process of doing a formal disaster declaration. We’ll be both signing that as a county and a city and submitting that to the Office of the Governor here shortly.”

Carter said a temporary shelter was initially set up at the AgriLife center to house evacuees rescued from flooded homes and vehicles. Buses provided by the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office and San Angelo ISD transported people to safety. Local businesses provided meals and water for those displaced.

By late Friday morning, the primary shelter location had transitioned to PaulAnn Baptist Church, 2531 Smith Blvd., according to the City of San Angelo. Residents needing transportation to the shelter can call Concho Valley Transit at 325-234-0251.

San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith said the city’s dispatch center received over 100 calls for service between 5 and 6 a.m., leading to more than 100 rescues conducted jointly by fire and police personnel. Some residents had to be evacuated from attics.

“This is not just a light flood,” Griffith said. “Especially on the east side, we see about a two-mile area that is tremendously affected.”

Officials warned drivers to avoid flooded roads, noting that even routes appearing clear could quickly become dangerous. Sheriff Nick Hanna said U.S. 87 South is down to one lane between San Angelo and Concho County, and roads including FM 2334, FM 765, FM 2105 and FM 2228 near Bison Trail remain flooded or impassable.

“Turn around, don’t drown,” Hanna said. “We cannot create any more emergencies for our first responders.”

Emergency crews from the San Angelo Fire Department, San Angelo Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety are conducting door-to-door searches in affected areas to ensure no one is left stranded, the City of San Angelo said in an official social media post Friday morning. Residents who evacuated are urged to notify the San Angelo Police Department at 325-657-4315 to avoid duplication of search efforts.

Republic Services, which handles waste collection, has struggled to deploy trucks due to flooding but is bringing in equipment and crews from across Texas. The city landfill will remain closed to the public so crews can focus on debris cleanup.

Staff Sgt. Justin Baker of the Texas Department of Public Safety said state air and ground resources are monitoring the situation and emphasized that drivers should not bypass barricades, warning that even shallow-looking water can conceal swift currents capable of sweeping vehicles away.

“At this moment, some of these roadways might be open, but that could change as water pushes through,” Baker said.

Residents are encouraged to document any flood damage for potential disaster assistance. Officials said additional rain could still impact low-lying areas, depending on storm tracks and watershed effects.

A follow-up press conference is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at PaulAnn Baptist Church, where officials plan to provide further updates on conditions and relief efforts.

The community was encouraged to visit drivetexas.org for information on roadways. 

Impassable Roadways (as reported):

  • East 50th Street and Pruitt

  • FM 765 east of Wilde

  • FM 2288 north of Bison Trail

  • U.S. 67 North at Old Ballinger Highway

  • U.S. 87 South at Crook Road

Read more HERE. 

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