BEAUMONT, Texas — The threat of heavy rain and more flash floods passing through Southeast Texas continues bringing heavy rain and possible high winds. The threat for flash flooding is high especially near our rivers, creeks, and bayous that have already been swollen.
A disaster declaration for Hardin County has been issued by Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel who recommended a voluntary evacuation of low lying areas of the county. He noted that Hardin County officials expect flood waters to rise from now through the weekend due to the recent heavy rain.
Tyler County has issued a voluntary evacuation notice for residents residing in low-lying areas from Rockland to Sheffield Ferry. This notice is in effect until Monday, May 6th.
Village Creek expected to crest on Sunday at a level close to what it reached on April 12, 2024, which could cause similar flooding along the creek's corridor. It could possibly be worse this time he said.
The Neches River at the saltwater barrier and Pine Island Bayou at Sour Lake are both expected to crest higher than April 12, McDaniel said.
The judge urged all those living in low-lying areas make preparations now to be ready to evacuate to higher ground as waters rise and before roads become impassable.
Sand and sandbags are currently available in Orange County at several locations
- Precinct 1 County Road & Bridge Maintenance Barn located on North Hwy 87 at North Teal
- Precinct 2 11897 State Hwy 62 in Mauriceville directly across from Market Basket on Hwy 62
- Precinct 3 County Road & Bridge Maintenance Barn located on 2502 West Round Bunch Road
- Precinct 4 County Road & Bridge Maintenance Barn located on 375 Claiborne Street
Residents are welcome to bag the sand to use to protect their home from rising water. They will need to bring their own shovel.
Sand and sandbags can be picked up at the City Park in Woodville. People will need to bring a shovel.
School Closures & Delayed Starts
Check with your school's website or social media for more info and instructions. We're updating this list as we receive new and updated information.
- Beaumont ISD: Beaumont ISD will not delay or cancel school on Friday, May 3
- Bob Hope School: All Bob Hope School campuses in Beaumont & Port Arthur will have a delayed start time in the morning of 9:30 a.m.
- Buna ISD: Buna ISD will delay the start of school by 2 hours on May 3.
- Bridge City ISD: Bridge City ISD will delay the start of school by 2 hours on May 3.
- Catholic Schools of Southeast Texas: The Catholic schools in Southeast Texas will have a delayed opening Friday, May 3. Staff will report at 9 a.m. and students report at 9:30 a.m.
- Evadale ISD: Evadale ISD will delay school on Friday, May 3. Doors will open at 9:20 a.m., first bell will be at 9:50 a.m., and end of day release will be at 1:00 p.m.
- Hardin-Jefferson ISD: Hardin-Jefferson ISD will be closed on Friday, May 3.
- Jasper ISD: Jasper ISD will have a 2 hour delay to the start of school tomorrow, Friday, May 3, and begin at 9:40 a.m. Staff should report at 9:20 a.m. Buses will run approximately 2 hours later than normal. Due to the late start, breakfast will not be served.
- Kirbyville CISD: Kirbyville CISD schools will have a 2 hour delay to the start of school Friday, May 3, starting at 9:50 a.m. Staff should report at 9:30 a.m.
- Lumberton ISD: No school on Friday, May 3. After school activities canceled Thursday & Friday
- Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD: Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD will be closed on Friday, May 3.
- Lamar University: Lamar University will have a delayed start of campus operations until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3.
- Lamar State College-Port Arthur: LSCPA will delay the start of classes until 10 a.m. LSCPA employees should report to work at 10 a.m.
- Lamar State College Orange: LSCO will open at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3.
- Nederland ISD: Nederland ISD is planning to have school as regularly scheduled.
- Newton ISD: Newton ISD will have a 2 hour delayed start on Friday, May 3. Buses will pick up students 2 hours later than normal. Staff should report to work at 9:30 a.m., and classes will begin at 9:50 a.m. Students may be dropped off on campuses beginning at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will not be served.
- Port Neches-Groves ISD: Groves Middle School students will NOT have school tomorrow. Groves Middle School staff should still report to work tomorrow for a teacher workday. All other PNG ISD facilities are up and running and will operate as normal
- Silsbee ISD: No school on Friday, May 3. STEAM night is also canceled.
- Vidor ISD: Vidor ISD will delay school start by 2 hours on Friday, May 3.
- Warren ISD: Warren ISD schools will have a 2 hour delayed start Friday, May 3, and will start at 9:55 a.m.
- West Orange-Cove CISD: West Orange-Cove CISD will be closed on Friday, May 3rd. Additionally, they want to remind everyone that Monday is a district holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 7th.
- Woodville ISD: Woodville ISD is planning a delayed start Friday, May 3. Buses will run 2 hours later than normal; school will start at 9:15 a.m. There will be a grab and go breakfast available for students. Staff will need to report no later than 9:00 a.m. If it becomes necessary to cancel school, a decision will be made no later than 7:30 a.m.
Severe weather, flooding continues in Southeast Texas
Road Conditions
Many roadways in Southeast Texas are flooded and holding some water with some completely impassable and shut down. If you encounter water over the roadway it's best to not drive through it.
In Tyler County FM 1746 between FM 2292 and FM 92 is closed according to the Tyler County Office of Emergency Management.
In Roganville, County Road 471 between County Road 472 and County Road 451 is no longer passable, according to the Roganville Volunteer Fire Department.
In Beaumont MLK Pkwy is closed due to flooding from College St. to Park St. including the College St. underpass and at Franklin St. according to TxDOT.
Earlier in Jefferson County an 18 wheeler lost its load in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 about a mile and a half east of Texas Highway 365, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's office.
Interstate 10 Beaumont and Winnie is holding water in several spots and deputies are being sent to several wrecks and vehicle taking on water after leaving the roadway according to the sheriff's office.
The underpass connecting Texas Highway 366 to Texas Highway 347 is also holding water, the sheriff's office said.
Power outages
Here's a list of the number of Entergy customers without power as of 2 p.m.
- Hardin County: 38
- Jefferson County: 5,966
- Liberty County: 565
- Orange County: 823
- Tyler County: 1,283
- TOTAL: 8,675
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
