Flash flood warning/watch in effect until Halloween morning
FROM STAFF REPORTS
BURNET — Low water crossings, flooded roadways and slick streets are just a few things that have officials concerned as rains returned Oct. 30.
“The ground is still saturated from last weekend, so any additional rain will quickly run off, and that means flash flooding,” said Burnet County Judge James Oakley. “We need to be in tune to the conditions here and never take a chance on a low water crossing.”
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Highland Lakes until 10 a.m. Oct. 31. Much of southern Burnet County was under a flash flood warning through the afternoon on Friday.
Burnet County Precinct 4 Constable Chris Jett posted on his Facebook page that all the low water crossings in his precinct were flooded. Officials reminded people that if they come to a low water crossing or bridge that has water flowing over it, turn around and don’t attempt to cross.
“It’s hard to tell if it’s standing water or rainwater when it’s over the roadway,” said Horseshoe Bay Fire Chief Joe Morris. “So we’re being as proactive as possible and getting the gates closed as quickly as possible when the need arises.
Morris said his city has a good plan in place among the fire, police and water utilities departments.
Even if a gate isn’t closed acrossed a flooded road, if water is covering a street or moving across it, a driver shouldn’t attempt to go over it.
If for whatever reason a driver gets trapped in rising water or in another dangerous situation, he or she should call 9-1-1.
Oakley said local emergency crews are on standby in case conditions worsen.
In response to the weather, the Marble Falls-Vandegrift football game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Mustang Stadium was postponed until 1 p.m. Oct. 31.
editor@thepicayune.com