Blame it on the rain: Storms cause flooding, wrecks

  • by MAGGIE KIELY

  • Posted: Thursday, February 16, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


Heavy rain in the Brazos Valley caused flooding in Navasota and was blamed for major auto accidents in Bryan-College Station.


The National Weather Service said the monthly rainfall total makes it the second wettest February on record for the Bryan-College Station area.


"We're about two inches away from getting the record," said Chris McKinney, a NWS meteorologist.


At Easterwood Airport, 0.44 inches of rain was recorded, bringing the monthly total to 7.62 inches and the year-to-date amount to 10.4 inches.


McKinney said estimated totals for Navasota and the surrounding areas immediately to the east were between two and three inches.


Several roads in Navsota were closed due to the flooding and portions of the downtown were flooded.


Phil Hiebeler, whose wife owns the Corner Cafe in the downtown area, said that building and about six other businesses on Farquhar Street were swamped with between two and nine inches of water, causing substantial damage.


"Everybody is in shock. It has been a devastating event," Heibeler said. "There isn't a single shopholder that isn't wondering what is going to happen."


City officials conducted an emergency meeting Wednesday evening and Mayor Bert Miller said Navasota would seek a disaster declaration from the governor.


Local officials said the rain caused two major accidents, although no serious injuries or deaths were reported.


Shortly after 11 a.m., a truck traveling on Texas 47 near Villa Maria hydroplaned off the road and rolled onto its side, according to Bryan police.


And later at about 2 p.m., authorities responded to a rollover accident on Texas 6 near Thomas Moore Feed, but details of the wreck were not available.


The rain was expected to abate Thursday but return for the weekend.


There's a 5 percent chance of rain Thursday morning and 20 percent in the evening, McKinney said.


"There is a chance of rain but it's primarily along the coast," he said. "There's certainly more chance for rain Friday night and into Saturday.


Although there's only a 20 percent chance of rain Friday during the day, McKinney noted that chances increase to 60 percent for the evening and Saturday morning.

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