Flood Warning Extended Through Midnight Monday
The National Weather Service has issued an extension to the flood warnings for northern Hopkins County as flooding along the South Sulphur River as well as North Sulphur River and at Cooper Lake continues with rain falling Sunday afternoon and early evening. The flood warning is extended through midnight Monday.
State highways, Farm to Market Roads, and county roads in Hopkins, Delta, Hunt and Franklin Counties have been affected. Some homes have been surrounded by high water at times. In some instances a few rural communities have been cut off by flooded roadways.
Driving through water over roadways in all counties is cautioned. Officials in Franklin County have said there is no way to know if culverts and/or bridges have been washed out by the high waters.
Cooper Lake emergency spillway is releasing uncontrollable amounts of water and flooding has occurred at the state park there according to reports.
Sulphur Springs City Council Agenda for December 1
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DECEMBER 1, 2015, 7:00 P.M.
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD AT 6:30 P.M. IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY – PENDING LITIGATION.
The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in the Council Room at 201 North Davis Street. The following items will be discussed:
- Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Texas Flag, and invocation.
- Presentations, proclamations, and announcements.
- Manager’s report will include status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures and revenues.
- Discussion/action on Consent Agenda.
- Discussion/action on public hearing for second and final reading of Ordinance No. 2676, an ordinance authorizing the exchange of certain real property between the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport and the adjacent property owner(s).
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2677, a request to rezone property located at 200 West Shannon Road, being further described as Lots 33, 35, and 36 of Block 212, from Heavy Commercial to Light Commercial and 1317 West Avenue, being further described as Lot 34 of Block 212, from Professional office to Light Commercial.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1096 to seek designation from the State of Texas as a management agency for wastewater collection and treatment within the city limits of Sulphur Springs.
- Discussion/action on Executive Session item Resolution No. 1097, a resolution authorizing the city mayor to execute said resolution and the city manager to execute the attorney contract for legal services with Scott & Ray, PLLC; and authorizing the city secretary to authenticate each signature.
- Visitors/public forum.
10. Adjourn.
Flash Flood Watch Extended Through Sunday Afternoon
Saturday afternoon the National Weather Service extended the Flash Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon, November 29th. Forecast for Sunday calls for 100% precipitation during the day and 60% chance Sunday night.
A flood warning was issued for Hopkins and Delta Counties Saturday morning and a River flood warning remains continues. Flood conditions have been reported along the South Sulphur River and several low lying areas. Some roadways in northern Hopkins County have been closed Saturday due to flooding.
The flash flood watch includes portions of:
- NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS AND NORTHEAST TEXAS… INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS…IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS… ..COLLIN…COMANCHE…COOKE…DALLAS…DENTON…EASTLAND…ELLIS…ERATH…FANNIN…GRAYSON…HAMILTON…HILL…HOOD…HUNT…JACK…JOHNSON…KAUFMAN…MILLS… MONTAGUE…NAVARRO…PALO PINTO…PARKER…ROCKWALL…SOMERVELL…STEPHENS…TARRANT…WISE AND YOUNG.
- IN NORTHEAST TEXAS…DELTA…HENDERSON…HOPKINS…LAMAR…RAINS AND VAN
According to the NWS: RAINFALL AMOUNTS…ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THIS RAINFALL IS IN ADDITION TO THE SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN THAT HAS ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS THE REGION SINCE THANKSGIVING DAY.
MAIN FLOODING CONCERNS…GROUNDS ARE SATURATED AND ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL LIKELY CAUSE FLOODING ESPECIALLY NEAR CREEKS AND STREAMS. WATER CAN RISE EXTREMELY QUICKLY WITH LITTLE ADVANCE WARNING WHEN GROUNDS ARE SATURATED. NEVER DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD!
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… GROUNDS ARE SATURATED AND CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SUDDEN FLOODING WITH ADDITIONAL RAINFALL. YOU SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA
Wildcats, Lady Cats Return to Action Following Thanksgiving Break
The Wildcats’ basketball team is back in action this week with a road game and a tournament. The Wildcats play at North Lamar Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Then they play in a Royse City tournament Thursday through Saturday where they’ll open against former Wildcat Coach Jeremy Josey’s McKinney Boyd team.
The Lady Cats’ basketball team will resume play after the Thanksgiving break in the Winnsboro Hoop Fest that runs Thursday through Saturday. The Lady Cats have opened the season with a 4-1 record. They will open district play at Longview on December 15
Blue Santa Toy Collection Begins Monday
Blue Santa, a law enforcement effort to provide toys for children in need this Christmas, will have a major collection effort on Monday and Tuesday. They will be collecting toys at Wal-Mart. Members of the public are encouraged to drop off new toys at the location. Blue Santa is expected to assist 1500 to 1600 families this ye
Flood Warning for Hopkins and Delta Counties Saturday Morning
A Flood Warning for Urban Areas and Small Streams in Hopkins County in Delta County has been issued by the National Weather Service until 11:15am.
At 8:19am, flooding from ongoing rainfall was occurring in several locations. Four to six inches of rain have fallen over the past day and has led to flooding of mainly urban areas and small creeks and streams. Minor River flooding is also occurring along the South Sulphur River near Cooper.
Excessive Runoff from Heavy Rainfall will Cause Flooding of Small Creeks and Streams…highways and Underpasses in Urban Areas. Additionally…country Roads and Farmlands along the Banks Of Creeks…streams and Other Low Lying Areas are Subject to Flooding.
DPS Tips for Safe Thanksgiving Travel
The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued tips for safe travel during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. Don’t drink and drive.
- Designate a driver or take a cab. Slow down, especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.
- Eliminate distractions, including the use of mobile devices.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle, it’s the law.
- Slow down or move over for police, fire, EMS and Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks that are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated, it’s the law.
- Don’t drive fatigued, get plenty of rest before trips ir take breaks as needed.
- Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.
- Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before you trip begins.
DPS troopers will be patrolling Texas roadways throughout the holiday weekend looking for drink drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other drivers who are endangering themselves and others.
Christmas in Heritage Park Moved to Two Day Event December 4th & 5th
Due to the threat of heavy rain, there has been a change of plans for Christmas in the Park in Heritage Park. Rick Wilson with the Hopkins County Historical Society at Heritage Park Friday morning said “water is knee deep everywhere at Heritage Park.” The activities set for Saturday, November 28th have been canceled.
Two nights, December 4th and 5th, are now the dates for the Heritage event. The event will now coincide with the Christmas Parade and other events that take place at Celebration Plaza. Wilson said this was not the best arrangement but was the best option available.
Open House for Hopkins County’s New Jail is December 1
Despite light drizzle Friday morning, some in the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department were doing some moving from the old jail to the new County Jail facility. Some old desks, chairs and filing cabinets were being moved. New furniture has been ordered but has yet to arrive. Tuesday December 1 from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom has scheduled an open house for the new County Jail and the public is invited to attend. There will be tours of the new facility. A brief program will take place at around 5:30 p.m. Speakers will include former County Judge Chris Brown, Judge Newsom and others. By the end of next week, after the arrival of mattresses for cells and installation of a phone visitation system for inmates, inmates should be transferred from the old jail into the new facility.
