City of Brownwood officials have begun damage assessment caused by flooding this week, the total of this damage is not expected to be confirmed for a few days according to Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford.
As of Thursday afternoon, the city had not been informed of any businesses that had flooded although water did flood parking lots of several along the Commerce Street corridor according to Crawford. She explained that the rising flood waters caused a concern for public safety and those businesses in the area were asked to close early on Wednesday.
“We requested all businesses in the Commerce St corridor shut down out of precautionary measures. Many were already closed or in the process of closing,” said Crawford.
Some homes in flood prone areas were a concern Wednesday evening as water rose steadily. Residents of the John Weaver Apartments on Market Place Blvd. were evacuated. Three homes in the Riverside Park area were at risk of flooding. Many people visited Riverside Park to view the Pecan Bayou as it began to creep out of its banks.
“There are three homes in Riverside Park area. Unknown damage, as it remains flooded,” said Crawford. “Ten people were evacuated from the park yesterday. Two were out of town visitors to the park. It is unknown if all the others were residents of the houses in the park or citizens using the park.”
The city opened the Brownwood Coliseum for those displaced by the flooding and for travelers who needed shelter due to road closures. According to Crawford there were five people in the shelter overnight with two remaining at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
Thursday afternoon water remains high around the Commerce Street corridor but is gradually receding. Brownwood Police Department reminds citizens and those traveling in the area are urged to remain cautious and reminded not to move or go around barricades.
Emily Crawford released the following update regarding Brownwood flooding late Thursday afternoon.
At 5:30 pm on Thursday, July 9, 2015, the Brownwood/Brown County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) held an Operation Briefing with city, county and state representatives. It was determined to close the EOC, and return to standard operations. Water levels at the Lake Brownwood spillway, the Pecan Bayou and Adam’s Branch continue to recede and no additional flooding is anticipated.Damage assessment has begun in the City of Brownwood and Brown County. No businesses were flooded.
Safety measures are encouraged. With high water, animals are displaced and possibly agitated. Stay clear and contact Animal Control at 325-646-2525. There are still multiple streets underwater, and travel is prohibited behind barricades. See below for the full list of street closures.
Sand bags may be returned to the staging areas that they were taken from (Higginbotham’s or Monroe Underpass).
The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department will begin to implement mosquito control measures.
Brown County reported Road 477 is still closed.
TxDOT reported Salt Creek (FM 3100) and Williams Ranch Road (FM 2525) are still closed.
Existing Brownwood road barricade locations are:
CC Woodson at Williams Ranch Road
CC Woodson at Milton Ave
CC Woodson behind Dollar General and Tractor Supply
Riverside at Commerce St.
Riverside at Rush
Riverside at Hughly
Hughly at Pecan
Fisk at Main
Fisk at Adams Branch beside Hastings
South Broadway at Pecan
Vine Street Underpass
Market Place at Clements
Market Place at Davis Lane
Market Place at Main Blvd
Romines at West Commerce
Romines at West Baker
Belle Plain at Cordell
Belle Plain at North Belle Plain
Cordell at Adams Branch crossing
Pictured above is flooding around the Adams Branch at Main Street and Fisk Thursday afternoon. Below is C.C. Woodson near State Farm.
