PARKER COUNTY, Texas — Many people who live along the Brazos River in Parker County are contemplating whether to evacuate their homes or stick it out until the flooding subsides in the upcoming days. And there are some residents who are stranded as roadways in and out of neighborhoods are completely submerged.
Over Horseshoe Bend in Parker County, WFAA helicopter video showed people wading through flooded waters and showed homes that were completely surrounded by water.
It has rained so much in North Texas that two dam gates were opened and a third dam gate was closed Tuesday morning at Possum Kingdom Lake's Morris Sheppard Dam, according to the Brazos River Authority.
People living downstream along the Brazos River are experiencing flooding. But many homes are outfitted and placed on lifted risers. Still, some structures were submerged. Some rescue crews have responded to the area to bring people to higher ground.
A Flood Warning was issued for:
- Brazos River near Dennis effecting Parker and Hood counties
- Brazos River near Palo Pinto affecting Palo Pinto County
- Brazos River near South Bend affecting Young County
At the Brazos River near Dennis on Tuesday the stage was 23.4 feet at 1:30 p.m. The flood stage is 21.0 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
At the Brazos River near South Bend at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the stage was 24.2 feet, and it's expected to fall Wednesday afternoon.
According to the NWS, the river is expected to rise to a crest of 24.9 feet early Wednesday afternoon. It will then fall below the flood stage late Thursday evening.
Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Area residents can sign up for downstream alerts here.
Gallery: Brazos River floods Horseshoe Bend in Parker County
Red Cross shelter
The American Red Cross opened a shelter for residents of flooded areas of Parker County on Tuesday.
The Red Cross said people near low-lying areas along the Brazos River are especially susceptible to flooding and should take immediate precautions.
Red Cross teams will be on-site and available at 10 a.m. at Spring Creek Baptist Church of Weatherford at 100 Spring Creek Rd.
How to Help
For those who'd like to help, the Red Cross said they can help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
The Red Cross is not collecting donations of clothing or household items. Financial donations to the Red Cross help provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance during disasters. Learn more at www.redcross.org.