16-0822

“Turn Around; Don’t Drown” reminder from state authorities…

WEATHER FORCES TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN LA SALLE

By Marc Robertson

The Texas Department of Transportation reported over the weekend that a number of roads in La Salle County had been affected by rising water as a direct result of heavy rains sweeping the region during the past ten days.

Roads leading into and out of Cotulla were affected at the end of last week, with the largest number of forced closures on Sunday, August 21.

The flooding event comes at a time when all South Texas area families are preparing for the start of the new school year.

Although interstate highway traffic was not affected by the flooding, a portion of the IH-35 west-side access road was closed between Milemarkers 79 and 81 Sunday.

In eastern La Salle County, flood waters forced the closure of Hwy 97 and FM 624, severely hindering rural traffic, which was prompted to detour through neighboring counties.

In western La Salle and in Dimmit County, FM 468 was closed for most of Sunday.

With less precipitation forecast for this week, officials expect road closures to be minimized, although heavy rains in the lower Texas Hill Country are expected to flow southeast through the Frio and Nueces river valleys during the week, causing a rise in the principal waterways. All low-water crossings will be affected at tributaries; the Frio, Leona and Nueces watersheds will be awash and may crest their banks in some areas. The lower Hill Country reported as much as four inches of rainfall in as many days.

The state transportation department is reiterating its message of “Turn Around; Don’t Drown” to all motorists in the region, advising anyone approaching a flooded roadway not to attempt crossing it, no matter how shallow the water may appear to be.

TxDOT is also reminding motorists that the flooding and road closures will affect traffic from the rural areas to the interstate highway and that all travelers should anticipate delays.

At the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, deputies are advising area residents not to approach flooded roadways even if the flooding appears minor, as water coursing over a road instead of through a culvert beneath it may be running with enough force to lift a car off the pavement.

“We don’t want anyone making a mistake that could endanger their lives or their children’s lives,” La Salle County Chief Deputy Malcolm Watson said Monday. “It’s not a matter of an error in judgement. If there’s water running over the road, don’t drive through it. There should be no question about that.

“Flood waters carry a lot of debris with them, including tree branches, fence posts and often barbed wire,” Watson added. “Children walking to or from school need to be extra careful around any areas where water has risen in small creeks. It doesn’t take much to sweep a child off its feet.”

Updates from TxDOT on any road closures and possible detours can be found on social media at twitter.com/txdotlaredo or online at txdot.gov.