LIVINGSTON, Texas — Texas authorities carried out multiple rescues on Wednesday due to severe flooding from former Tropical Storm Edouard. People were stranded in cars and homes surrounded by floodwaters. An assisted living facility required evacuation as the storm lingered over rural Texas.
Edouard had weakened into a tropical depression after reaching land on Tuesday. Despite this, it brought nearly 2 feet of rain to some areas, according to the National Weather Service, which warned of ongoing risks for eastern Texas through Thursday morning.
Heavy rains and flooding affected Hardin County, located approximately 85 miles northeast of Houston. Officials reported hazardous conditions due to flooding, fallen trees, damaged powerlines, debris, and power outages. As much as 20 inches of rain fell in certain areas, a significant increase compared to the local average for September, which is 5.51 inches.
Across regions near the Louisiana border, schools and municipal offices were closed, with residents advised to stay indoors. The Hardin County office of emergency management noted that 12 motorists required rescue from flooded roads and two people had to be saved from flooded homes. Additionally, trees damaged about 10 buildings, and thousands of residents faced power outages.
In Jefferson County, around 80 miles northeast of Houston, the primary challenge was restoring electricity. Wind gusts reached up to 90 mph, toppling trees and limbs. Robert Grimm, the county emergency management coordinator, reported about 22,000 customers without power, representing nearly half of the state’s affected utility users.
Grady Leger, a resident of Hardin County, described alarming sparks from a downed powerline, which ignited part of a tree near his home. ‘Some blue and yellow, white sparks caught part of my dead tree on fire,’ Leger said.
An assisted living facility in Hardin County suffered flood damage, necessitating the evacuation of 21 individuals, aided by Texas Parks and Wildlife officers navigating thigh-deep water.
Amidst the chaos in Texas, the Pacific Ocean experienced active hurricane activity, with three hurricanes — Marie, Lowell, and Karina — churning in open waters. Hurricane Marie strengthened offshore of southwest Mexico, impacting coastal areas with swells. These swells are expected to extend into southern California over the weekend.
Satellite imagery depicted the positioning of Hurricane Lowell, Hurricane Karina, and Tropical Storm Marie in the Pacific. Hurricane Lowell, a Category 4 storm south of Hawaii, displayed fluctuating strength and is foreseen to remain powerful. Its generated swells will likely affect the Hawaiian islands.
Hurricane Karina, now a Category 4 storm, is predicted to weaken over the upcoming days. Swells from both Marie and Lowell could create hazardous surf and rip current conditions.
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