Thursday, May 21, 2015

FROM SCORCHED TO FLOODED, NO BREAK FOR WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS: WICHITA FALLS RESIDENTS PACK UP, MOVE OUT AHEAD OF RAIN











MAY 21, 2015

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS

Known for the extreme measures it took during the drought, Wichita Falls now going from scorched to flooded.

A view of the city's main water source proves how fast the waters are rising. 

One month ago, Lake Arrowhead was less than 20 percent full. Today, it's nearly 70 percent full and swelling.

Mandatory evacuations started Thursday afternoon.

"You've got to get ready," said Rosendo Ramos, while packing his car.

He and hundreds of homeowners in the Tanglewood neighborhood are concerned their homes may soon be floating like islands.

"Oh, we've been an island," Jill King said.

She was scrambling to protect her property from washing away.

"Yeah, it's a little different in here," she said, standing inside her home that resembles a construction zone.

Couches are propped up on cinder blocks, and lighter belongings layered on top of tables.

"We worked until probably midnight last night," King said.

Family treasures like her mother's childhood rocking chair and items that could be carried were hauled upstairs.

"These are some rugs we had downstairs," she pointed out, stuffed inside a bedroom.

She and her neighbors were given less than 24 hours to clear out.

A mandatory evacuation is underway ahead of what could be another round of wet and wild weather.

"I would rather have someone move out [and] get all their stuff out and then say, 'Why did I do that?' [Rather than] to grieve because they lost many of their belongings," she said.

The nonstop rain is helping end a crippling, four-year drought, but it's also showering the area with new problems.

"We're saying be careful what you pray for," King said.

Nearly three inches of water rose in just one hour earlier this week, and much more is in the forecast.

"It's a great neighborhood and I don't want to see this happen, but sometimes you can't stop Mother Nature," Ramos said.

He and King can still hope they're not flooded with more headaches.

Emergency officials are not so optimistic. They say it's not a question of if this major flooding will happen, but when.

Hirschi High School opened the doors to its gymnasium as an emergency shelter.

Several churches are also helping out. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church is sheltering residents. Antioch Baptist Church is preparing to do the same.
Residents are urged to contact the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at (940) 761-7909 or the Public Information Office at (940) 761-7401 for information and updates.

All updates and advisories will also be posted to the city's Facebook page and Twitter.

Two public safety command posts have been established. The Public Safety Training Center at 710 Flood Street is one location. You can also visit the parking lot of the old Brookshire's grocery store building on the corner of Loop 11 and Seymour Highway.

Residents who need assistance with pets can call (940) 228-9941.
Source: http://www.wfaa.com