Disaster declaration issued for San Jacinto County due to flooding, heavy rainfall

SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas – A judge has issued a disaster declaration for San Jacinto County due to recent heavy rainfall and severe flooding in the area.

According to the declaration issued by Judge F. Faulkner, several county and state highways are flooded with water. The Trinity River is anticipated to continue to rise rapidly, posing a threat to roads, highways and bridges in the county.

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The Trinity River Authority has implemented mandatory early release of water currently out of 70,000 cubic feet per second as a result of the excessive rainfall.

Local schools and other governmental entities are beginning to alter their schedules because of the severe weather. According to the declaration, Coldspring Independent School District and Shepherd ISD implemented emergency releases for students as a precaution.

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Officials recommended that those living below the Lake Livingston dam and other areas where flooding is possible to voluntarily evacuate.