Roads closed in Texas and New Mexico counties due to flooding and storms
More storms brought heavy rain to the area Friday night, leading to more road closures, with the possibility for even more rain Saturday.
"Thunderstorms will have the chance to produce locally heavy rainfall late Saturday afternoon through tonight," the National Weather Service office in Amarillo (NWS Amarillo) said in a Saturday update via social media. "Rainfall rates of anywhere from 2 to 5 inches per hour have been observed the past several days and remain possible with stronger storms. This could lead to localized flash flooding in the area as well as river and stream flooding. In addition, playa lakes have filled completely in some areas and these could begin to cause issues with additional heavy rainfall. Portions of the southwest Texas Panhandle have been included in a Flood Watch through this evening."
The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) informed the Castro County Sheriff"s Office dispatch around 1:30 p.m. Saturday that U.S. 385 from Dimmitt to Hereford and FM 1055 from FM 2397 to U.S. 385 in Deaf Smith County had been reopened after being closed due to flooding.
According to the Castro County Sheriff's Office via Facebook on Saturday, TxDOT had closed the following roads in Castro County due to flooding: FM 1057 from FM 2397 to U.S. 60 at Summerfield; and FM 2943 from U.S. 385 to FM 1259 in Deaf Smith County. The sheriff's office asked that motorists please do not go around the barricades.
TXDOT and the Texas Department of Public Safety had closed U.S. 385 north of Dimmitt to Hereford on Saturday, due to water cresting the bridge at the draw between Hereford and Coronado Acres. "It has been considered dangerous if the bridge is washed out. ... If you live in the area proceed with caution," the sheriff's office said.
"Nearly stationary storms in Deaf Smith County continue to dump lots of rain across central to southern portions of the county," NWS Amarillo said Friday night. "Also, some of the stronger cells could be producing hail larger than a quarter."
NWS Amarillo said Saturday morning that light rain could continue, with sporadic lightning in portions of the Texas Panhandle and some roads remaining flooded from last night's rain. "The wet period that the Panhandles have been experiencing is expected to continue through Sunday," NWS Amarillo said via Facebook. "Some storms could be severe each day, but the threat for locally heavy rainfall and flooding may be the greater concern. Through Monday morning, there is a 40 to 80 percent chance of at least 1 inch of rain across much of the area and a 5 to 30 percent chance of at least 2 inches of rain. While probabilities are low based on the models, we can not rule out 3 or more inches."
The Canyon Fire Department reported that Gordon Cummings Road going west from Brown Road was flooded due to creeks running over capacity. "Also, be cautious when going south of Gordon Cummings on Brown Rd. The water crossing is beginning to wash out on the west side," the department said Friday.
New Mexico counties impacted by storms
In addition, several roads across Curry County in eastern New Mexico were closed due to weather, according to the county road department.
"The torrential rains and flooding from last night's storm have been very challenging. A significant number of roads have been damaged, may be hazardous or closed due to flooding," an update from the department on Friday stated. Closed roads included CR B between SR 19 and SR 241, CR N between SR 14 and SR 16 and CR19 between CR D and CR H. Questions or concerns, or notifications of roads may be addressed to Walon Jones or Gordon Beevers at (575) 762-1501.
More storms passed through Quay and Curry counties in New Mexico on Thursday night, producing large hail, strong winds and heavy rains and leading to severe storm and flash flood warnings. According to the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, total rainfall from Texas radars showed 6 to 8 inches of rain over a few hours in a large part of southeast Quay County.
Tucumcari and Clovis had experienced power outages Wednesday night into Thursday due to severe weather, which has been passing through parts of New Mexico and West Texas all week.
More: Xcel Energy crews restore power in Clovis, Tucumcari after storm damage
Rains ease some Texas Panhandle drought levels
As of Thursday's Texas Drought Monitor update, Randall and Potter counties were moved to mostly Moderate Drought levels, with some western portions still in Severe Drought, according to data recorded as of 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service office in Amarillo said Canyon had an estimated 1.54 inches of rainfall between 7 a.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday, while Amarillo had almost an inch.
Other 24-hour totals include:
Borger .45
Dalhart 1.53
Dumas .676
Hereford 3.07
Pampa .70
Stratford 1.57
Umbarger 1.72
Vega 1.19
Areas around Amarillo have had an estimated rainfall between 3 and 5 inches over the past 14 days.
"We are in the midst of a very wet period as you all well know by now," the NWS Amarillo office said. "... Most of the region has picked up over 1.5 inches in this period and there are scattered 3-5 inch amounts as well. Unfortunately a few small areas, like around Hedley, only have received around 1 inch or even slightly less."
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Curry County New Mexico roads impacted by severe weather, flooding
