Evacuations, more road damage follow heavy rains

Submitted by Casscounty1 on
By Robin Hall 
 
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit the area beginning March 8, dumping sheets of water on Cass County and the entire Ark-La-Tex region. 
The rain caused local waterways and drainage systems to rise quickly, causing issues for local residents and motorists in the area. 
Officials report at least 10.5 inches of rain have fallen over the course of the week. 
Queen City ISD closed campuses March 9 due to a number of its bus routes being partially submerged. According to Superintendent Charlotte Williams, Courtland Road was one such route. The district had a late start the following day at 10 a.m.
County commissioners reported multiple road closures and forced detours for some residents as well. 
As for state parks in the area, mandatory evacuations were in order through the weekend.  
Atlanta State Park 
The Atlanta State Park had opened back up March 1 when lake levels fell to a safe level following previous rains. With the current situation, headquarters asked park rangers there to close once again for the weekend to avoid any emergency evacuations. 
As of March 14, the park was open for camping and boat launches. Sewer sites 1- through 23 remain closed
The March 14 level of Lake Wright Patman is  was 249.98 feet as of press time. The typical level for this season is 220.60 feet.
Caddo Lake
Mark McCray, lead ranger, with Caddo Lake State Park reported March 10 that everything is closed at this time at their park other than the nine cabins that are located on higher ground.  
All peers, boat ramps and the canoe shack are under water. All campsites are closed down. A mandatory evacuation was called Wednesday, March 9. 
McCray noted however, that the lake level has been considerably higher than this the current level of 179.5 feet. Record level for Caddo Lake is 182.9 feet.
“We just don’t know when the water will be down and we’ll be opening back up,” Ranger McCray said. 
Road updates 
Cass County Pct. 1  
According to Commissioner Brett Fitts, Pct. 1 had about 30 people displaced initially, most, living on CR 1537 are able to reach their homes now. 
Fitts also reports 12 roads still impassable due to high water in Precinct 1. 
Those include the following county roads: 
CR 3110, CR 1759, CR 1623, CR 1640, CR 3112, CR 1775, CR 1595, CR 1118 and CR 1760
There are barricades or tape blocking the worst of the damaged roads like CR 1623 and CR 1640 where the culverts have completely washed the road out. 
Fitts considers a county road impassible when the water has reached between 1 and 3 feet over the road. 
Several culverts have washed out in Precinct 1, including CR1537, CR 1645, CR 1640, CR 1537 and CR 1645. CR 1645 has already been repaired.
Cass County Pct. 2 
Commissioner Jon Borseth says his precinct roads are heavily drenched as well. 
According to Borseth, the precinct handled the storm well.“Overall, everything held up well,” he said. “We didn’t lose any culverts.” 
Road closures include CR 2471, which was washed at near Bryan’s Mill. 
County roads 2117 and 2461were still closed as of March 14.
Cass County Pct 3 
Paul Cothran reported that there are about 10 households in his precinct, who are currently displaced due to high waters. Those people, living on CR 3991 are able to reach their homes through an alternate route. 
A pond crossing on that county road will have to be rebuilt. 
Pct. 3 is also repairing a culvert at the intersection of CR 3990 and State Highway 991. He and his workers found said culver washed down into the woods there. Time for repairs is estimated at five days depending on when materials are available. 
Cass County Pct. 4  
Commissioner Darrell Godwin reported that McLeod got the worst of the damage in his precinct. 
In Mcleod, CR 4659/CR 4559, known as “Post Office Road” is still closed. Those residents can detour through State Highway 251.  
Water still over State Highway 125, but most other roads are  passable. 
“People are going to have to be cautious even after the rain passes,” Godwin said, “because this stuff is going to be soft, especially on the edges.” 
 
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