WHARTON, TX – As the Colorado River continues to rise in Wharton, the city remains under a voluntary evacuation, but its mayor is still urging more than 1,000 residents living on the west side of town to find a safe place to go.
It was a move he never wanted to make again, but as the Colorado River inching closer and closer toward his home, Burnell Neal knew he had no other choice.
"I always have to move," said Neal. "This is gonna be my third flood. '98, 2004, and it got past my light switch and ruined everything, so I've been moving for the last two days. I know to go."
City officials say Neal and more than 1,000 people living on Wharton's west side are in danger of being flooded, with the river expected to crest late Friday or early Saturday, though they say that timeline could change.
"It's scary to me," said Latrice Amie, a resident who lives near the river and was checking up on its water level along the banks Thursday morning. "I just never thought."
"There's no reason for loss of life here," said Mayor Domingo Montalvo, Jr., during a press conference Thursday morning. "We have plenty of time to plan."
Montalvo said city staff have gone through the neighborhood pleading with people to evacuate.
"We can't move the river, but we can move the folks out of the way," said Montalvo.
A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Wharton Junior High. City officials say no one stayed there Wednesday night, but as of Thursday morning, 21 people had pre-registered for Thursday night.
Still, some West Side residents are frustrated.
"After four years I know something could have been done to block this water from coming out again and destroying the same side of town," said Alma Curtis, who lives down the street from the riverbank.
But for now many are moving out what they can, and keeping the faith.
"God'll work it out," said Neal. "As long as I've got my health and strength, and my family's fine, I'll be okay."
Mayor Montalgo says the city is still working to assess how many people are in need and will prioritize those most at risk, such as those with special needs. He says outside agencies, including the Wharton County Sheriff's Office and Lower Colorado River Authority, are helping with first responders and equipment, including boats.
Several organizations, including SPOT, are working with Wharton County Animal Control to provided places for residents to bring their animals if they need.
A River Flood Warning remains in effect for the Colorado River in Wharton until late Sunday night. As of 8:15 a.m. Thursday, the stage was at 38.4 feet.
Major flooding is forecast as the river rises above flood stage on Thursday afternoon.
The flood stage is 39 feet, officials say. At 45.3 feet, many homes in the western part of Wharton will have to two to three feet of water.
