Coryell County, central Texas, hill country experience heavy rain, flooding
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
A cold front with a low-pressure system brought chilly temperatures and heavy rains to the Copperas Cove area, dumping as much as six to 10 inches of rain throughout Central Texas while temperatures hovered in the 40s Monday through Wednesday of this week.
On Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings for Cowhouse Creek near Pidcoke as well as the Leon River. The Cowhouse Creek was at 19.77 feet, with flood stage being 20 feet and minor flooding in the forecast, with an expected crest to near 21 feet by Tuesday afternoon.
Around 1 p.m. Wednesday, CCISD administration released employees who lived north of the Cowhouse Creek in the event that F.M. 116, which crosses the Cowhouse Creek, might be closed.
According to information from the National Weather Service, the Leon River at Highway 84 was forecast to crest to 29.3 feet by Tuesday evening, with the river peaking at 29.86 feet on Tuesday evening, well over the flood stage level of 22 feet. By Thursday afternoon, the level had dropped to 28.5 feet, still above flood stage.
Water levels of the Lampasas River near Kempner rose to a peak of 19.76 feet on Wednesday, with flood stage being 18 feet. By Thursday afternoon, the level had dropped down to around 6 feet.
Some county roads were closed, but on Tuesday afternoon Coryell County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Harrell said there were no plans at that time to close either F.M. 116 or Highway 84.
“If this happens, I will be notified by TxDOT and we will send a Code Red message out. Cresting levels are a moving target due to the heavy rainfall locally and upstream. Dangerous conditions will occur during the hours of darkness so avoid driving if possible. F.M. 116 has areas of standing water so extreme caution is advised. No evacuations are anticipated at this time. I have about 500 sand bags available if needed,” Harrell told local officials and media.
Fort Hood closed several roads on Tuesday morning to include Turkey Run Road, portions of Tank Destroyer Boulevard were closed at the Turkey Run Creek low water crossing, as well as a portion of Mohawk Road that was flooded.
In the Texas hill country, the F.M. 2900 bridge crossing the Llano River in Kingsland was flooded, collapsed, and was swept away in what was called a “50-year” event on Tuesday. Area officials encouraged those living within one-quarter mile of the river to evacuate.
A Wednesday morning briefing issued by the National Weather Service officials called for additional rain in north central Texas through Friday, with light rain chances for Saturday and drying on Sunday.