Floods Invoke Rescues in San Angelo and State of Disaster

The floods last night presented the San Angelo area with another slew of weather-related events. These included many calls to the San Angelo Police Department asking for assistance and Governor Greg Abbot declaring a state of disaster in 31 Texas Counties.

Throughout the night after 12 a.m., SAPD received 11 calls of vehicle assist: six abandoned vehicles were towed and at least three were left where they were as they did not obstruct traffic. SAPD also answered several calls asking officers to “check for debris in roadway.” In response, officers cleared branches, trash cans or other debris from the road.

Here are the details of those calls:

• 12:25 a.m. @ S. College & Sunset: flooded gold Pontiac G6. Driver safe and advised he would come back for the vehicle when the water let up.
• 12: 32 a.m.: A female called to report she had the occupants of a vehicle that was flooded at Sunset and Sul Ross; they were fine but shaken up. The vehicle was not a hazard to oncoming traffic.
• 12:39 a.m. Caller advised there were two cars stuck in the water at W Ave N & S Jackson. ASU sent officers to check on it.
• 12:43 a.m.: Caller advised there was a car abandoned/unoccupied in the middle of Sunset near the Sunset Lake. Officers responded but the vehicle was gone.
• 01:10 a.m.: Caller advised there was an unoccupied vehicle at S. College Hills Blvd and Oxford. Home Motors towed the vehicle.
• 01:37 a.m.: Caller advised there was a vehicle in the 2000 block of Sunset Drive. Home Motors towed the vehicle.
• 01:44 a.m.: Caller advised a vehicle was stranded at S. Johnson and Knickerbocker. Officers pushed car out of the roadway and made sure the uninjured driver had a ride.
• 02:50 a.m.: Caller advised there was a stranded vehicle at the Grove located at 4225 S. Jackson. Officers responded but did not located the vehicle in question.
• 05:23 a.m.: Caller advised there were two disabled vehicles in the 4300 block of S. Jackson due to flood waters. Both vehicles were towed.
• 05:51 a.m.: Caller advised there were two vehicles in the roadway at Sul Ross and Vista Del Arroyo. One vehicle was towed, but the other was driven away by the owner.
• 07:04 a.m.: Caller advised there was an abandoned vehicle blocking traffic at the low water crossing at Howard & Webster. Officers attempted to locate the registered owner but not able to locate. The vehicle was towed.

The counties in which the state of disaster is in effect are Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Coleman, Colorado, Erath, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Kleberg, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Lubbock, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Parker, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington and Wharton.

According to the National Weather Service, the San Angelo area is in a flash flood watch until tomorrow morning. NWS warning and coordination meteorologist Hector Guerrero said that there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms through today. Tonight and throughout Friday, that will drop to 40 forty percent. The area will have a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Finally, chances drop to 20 percent Saturday night and will disappear altogether on Sunday. On Sunday, San Angelo will have sunny weather as well as a chance to recover from these storms, at least until next Wednesday.

“It doesn’t take a whole lot of rain to flood, especially in a lot of these low lying and low water crossing regions in our area," Guerrero said. "We just continue to encourage folks to try not to cross those flooded low water crossings.”

Here are the low-crossing areas people want to avoid:

For those curious about Lake Ivy’s water levels, Guerrero said that the lake is up to 17.4 percent full as of this morning. Last month, Lake Ivy was sitting at 14.2 percent.

“[Lake Ivy] is still low, but at least it’s going in a positive direction,” Guerrero said.

 Texans are urged to follow these safety tips during severe weather events:

• Remember that dangerous waters can seem deceptively calm, and if you encounter flooding, move to higher ground – turn around, don’t drown.
• Avoid areas already flooded and avoid any fast-flowing water.
• Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection.
• Monitor weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather, and heed warnings by local officials - when in doubt, get out!
• Keep in mind that flood dangers are even harder to recognize at night.

On Friday, May 27, Governor Abbott elevated the activation level of the State Operations Center (SOC) in Austin.

“As our state continues to face waves of severe weather and potential flooding, it is crucial that Texans remain vigilant and heed warnings and any evacuation notices from local officials in their areas,” Governor Abbott said. “The State of Texas stands ready to assist all counties affected by severe weather and has dedicated the resources necessary to ensure the safety of those at risk. I would like to thank the first responders who have rescued residents from rising waters and ask all Texans to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers.”

To read Abbott’s disaster declaration, visit the Governor's website. 

Check San Angelo LIVE!'s previous article regarding severe weather safety. Otherwise, consult the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website for more safety tips related to severe weather or up to date information on road conditions/closures.