BEAUMONT, Texas — A long line of idling 18-wheelers continued to sit along Interstate 10 in Beaumont Friday morning as the sun rose a day after Imelda unleashed torrential rain on Southeast Texas.
Scattered showers are forecast for part of Friday potentially bringing 2 - 3 inches more rain as drivers await the reopening of the interstate, so they can continue to Houston and beyond after Imelda forced them to put on the brakes.
About four miles away on 11th Street near Washington Blvd the receding flood water left flooded out cars abandoned on the streets.
Cars that made it through the dirty water without flooding were coated in an oily film.
Just before 9 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for portions of Jefferson, Newton, Hardin, Orange and Jasper Counties.
The warning was was issued because even though only 2 – 3 inches are forecast for the day the ground is so saturated that flash flooding could still be possible.
Water has begun to recede as some residents continue to be rescued by boats after Wednesday night and Thursday morning’s 25-35 inches of rain resulted in catastrophic flooding and two deaths.
More than 30 schools are closed Friday. Check for weather alerts here.
Emergency overnight curfews began Thursday at 10 p.m. in Vidor and the Winnie area.
While some areas received 4 to 6 inches per hour Wednesday night, flood-weary residents can take comfort that the worst of the rain is over.
Flash flooding occurred all over the area with numerous road closures and water rescues.
Officials are still urging everyone in the emergency area to seek high ground.
Evacuation operations in Beaumont picked up again at 7:30 a.m. Friday after being suspended the evening before at 7:30 p.m.
So far the storm has claimed two lives including one in Jefferson County when a man was electrocuted while moving his horse in flood waters.
In Houston a man died after being pulled unconscious from a submerged vehicle on Will Clayton near 59.
On Thursday Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in several counties including Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda,
Montgomery, Newton, Orange and San Jacinto. There is potential for major infrastructure damage and long term, countywide power outages.
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If you are need assistance and it is a life or death emergency call 911. If you can't get through to 911 or it is not a life and death emergency call the Beaumont Police Department at 409-832-1234 or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 409-835-8411.
In Winnie, the Chambers County Emergency Operations Center confirmed that at least six patients and staff were evacuated from Riceland Hospital via high-water rescue vehicles Wednesday night.
The remnants of Imelda are expected to move out during the early afternoon on Friday and by the weekend summer returns with hot weather in the upper 80’s to 90’s and a minimal chance of rain.
These are some of the videos from around Beaumont-Port Arthur, as water rose across the region.
