When It Rains It Pours, Texas County Finds

Much-needed rain fell Thursday on parched areas of northern Texas, so much that roads were flooded, forcing authorities into a dramatic rescue of a woman stranded in a rain-swollen creek.

Two roads in Comanche County, about 80 miles southwest of Ft. Worth, were flooded by dawn following 4 inches of rain. A car that tried to cross a flooded bridge was swamped by a creek.

Four passengers got out and held on to a guardrail until they were rescued, investigator Vernon Gaines said. Another person swept down the creek managed to grab a tree and hang on until a deputy swam to save her with a rope tied around his waist.

“We haven’t had anything else like that yet and hopefully we won’t,” Gaines said.

The rain continued through the day and flash flood watches were posted.

“Farmers call this a real soaker,” said Ernie Cathey, a National Weather Service hydrologist. “That’s what it’s doing. Getting some of the soil moisture back in.”

Several towns reported 3 inches of rain and Gorman, just northwest of Comanche County, received 5 inches in 24 hours. The Leon River, which flows southwest out of Comanche County, was the first Texas river to rise in 13 months, Cathey said.

In Sherman, north of Dallas, a steady downpour was too much for one department store worker.

“Every time it rains the ceiling looks like a sieve,” the unidentified employee told the Sherman Democrat. “We were screaming for rain last week. Now we complain because we are getting wet.”

Storms have drenched most drought-ravaged corners of Texas in the last week, but the state needs more rain.