Wise County EMS Rescue-1 crew members entered a flooded roadway in the Alvord area to rescue a stranded motorist Monday night. SUBMITTED
Monday’s fresh batch of torrential rainfall brought more flooding issues to Wise County, leading to a water rescue and new roadway closures.
The county was under several flash flood warnings over the weekend. Monday evening, another storm system brought heavy rainfall to the northern portions of the county, prompting the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth to release a weather statement through the Wise County Office of Emergency Management.
“This storm system is moving slowly and will hover over the northern portions of Wise/ Southern portions of Montague county,” the NWS weather statement said. “Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to heavy, localized flooding.”
Weekend rain totals included 3.4 inches in Greenwood, 3.29 with pea sized hail in Alvord, 2.7 in Bridgeport and 2.28 in Decatur.
The flash flooding Monday prompted a water rescue for a stranded motorist in Alvord on Farm Road 1655, a mile west of Farm Road 2655. The rescue occurred around 10 p.m. May 26, with members of Wise County EMS Rescue-1 taking a man away from the rapidly-moving water that surrounded his vehicle.
“He climbed to the roof [of his vehicle] and waited for us to arrive,” said Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger. “Rescue-1 personnel entered the water and was able to get the patient to safety.”
Wise County EMS Medic-2 and Alvord Fire also responded. The patient was not injured.
The issues persisted today. County Road 3250 and Farm Road 3259 were both closed Tuesday due to flooding.
As the list of flood-related road problems mounted, Wise County Commissioners approved blanket authority among the four precincts to access private property to clear debris and alleviate flooding issues for county road right-of-way. The action was taken in lieu of approving work on an individual basis due to the long and growing list of flood and storm related issues on county roads.
The scope of work each of the four county precincts have been authorized to conduct is limited to work on private property that would serve a public interest for transportation or safety, Pct. 2 Commissioner Kevin Burns clarified.
The authority is active until the next commissioners meeting June 9.
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