Dozens Flooded Out of Homes in Texas
Pastor Dale Morgan
Dozens Flooded Out of Homes in Texas*
Tuesday October 24, 2006 4:31 AM
VIDOR, Texas (AP) - Flooding forced dozens of people from their homes
Monday, including some residents who have been living in government
trailers since Hurricane Rita struck southeast Texas last year.
Heavy rains saturated the area last week and flowed downstream into the
Neches River, which spilled over its banks and rose nearly 8 feet above
flood stage Monday.
Although the river later dropped by about 2 inches, the water was
expected to remain high through Thursday, said Jeff Kelley, emergency
management coordinator for Orange County, about 100 miles northeast of
Houston.
Kelley estimated about 40 homes had been destroyed as of Sunday. About
60 others were damaged, officials said.
Authorities in neighboring Hardin County estimated at least 100 homes
had been damaged.
The Sabine River also was out of its banks. Officials in Newton County
officials said at least three bridges have been washed out.
Officials continued assessing damage Monday. It varied from home to home
because some had been built on stilts, while others sit at ground level.
In some cases, water was up to the roof lines.
The area was hit hard by Rita last year, and Kelley said a number of
Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers were still in the area.
Gov. Rick Perry declared nine counties disaster areas. He also ordered
state agencies to be on standby for rescue efforts if the remnants of
Hurricane Paul bring more rain in the coming days. Paul was roaring
toward the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula late Monday.