By Anita Miller
News Editor
—
When a tropical storm hits flash flood alley, look out.
The relentless rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine are capable of causing both flash and river flooding as the system continues to douse the area today.
As of 7 a.m. a total of 5.05 inches of rain has fallen in San Marcos, according to the NWS gauge at San Marcos Municipal Airport. Forecasters say a 60 percent chance of rainfall continues today.
The last time the area was under a similar flood threat was in July 2004, when the water in Canyon Lake topped the dam and brought devastation along the Guadalupe River.
The Blanco and lower San Marcos rivers experienced a significant flood event at that time; though less severe than that along the Guadalupe.
Prior major flooding along the Blanco and lower San Marcos date back to Nov. 15, 2001 and the massive flooding of mid-October 1998.
Since any of those occurrences, the area experienced long periods of drought, notably from the fall of 2007 through the fall of 2009. Fairly regular rains have kept drought at bay so far in 2010, though just recently, authorities in Hays and surrounding counties had enacted burn bans.
“We already have our departments preparing, getting equipment fueled up and ready to go. People are on standby ready to respond,” if wide-scale city or river flooding occurs, said city spokeswoman Melissa Millecam.
“If it really became terrible we would open our emergency operations center” at San Marcos Police headquarters, she said.
Millecam said city authorities have been tracking the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine “very carefully” and broadcasting the latest weather alerts on cable channel 10 for Time Warner subscribers, channel 16 for Grande Communications.
“We’re trying to emphasize the message ‘turn around, don’t drown,’ she said, referencing the statewide campaign to discourage motorists from driving through water that covers the roadway.
“We want everyone to be very cautious in this kind of weather,” Millecam said. “We want people to pay close attention to weather reports.”
She said the city will respond as needed. “Our folks are geared up and ready to go as necessary.”
Sheriff’s spokesman Mike Thielen said county emergency planners are “looking at the possibility” of flooding conditions. He said personnel are “on alert” for an ugly turn of events.
County emergency director Jeff Turner said Tuesday afternoon the county “has been working with all its partners throughout the day monitoring the weather.
“At this time we feel confident we’re prepared for any additional rainfall or road closures,” he said.
For information on county flooding and emergency road closures, visit http://co.hays.tx.us.
