The City of Abilene shattered the all-time daily rainfall record on Tuesday, the National Weather Service in San Angelo reported.
Abilene Regional Airport recorded 8.26″ of rainfall, breaking the old single daily record of 6.54″ back on May 11, 1928.
Abilene residents woke up Tuesday morning to streets roaring with water causing dangerous conditions for those trying to get to work.
Emergency crews were busy responding to more than 30 water rescues, and one resident couldn’t believe what he had witnessed.
“All I saw was she entered the water and away the car went,” said a witness. “I didn’t know if there [were] kids in the car, whether it was male or female. It was going to bug me all day not knowing if there were any fatalities.”
An SUV was caught by the dangerous current on Button Willow Avenue, but thankfully, the driver was okay after emergency crews had to extend a ladder to the trapped driver.
Over on North First Street, the water level reached a height of six feet causing some drivers to get stuck.
It was to the point to where even the Abilene Fire Department was running out of equipment.
“Between 6:30 and 9:30, we dispatched equipment to 34 separate water rescue calls,” Mike Miller, Public Information Officer for AFD said. “There were several that we didn’t have equipment available, and we were telling people that if it is safe to get out of your vehicle go ahead and do so.”
Some residents were prepared to take drastic measures after the water reached their doorsteps.
“We are prepared to evacuate if we have to cause we’ve had to before,” Jeff Rhodes, and Abilene resident said. “It’s gotten so high its actually come into the house. “
It’s been a nightmare for driver’s and homeowners, but the forecast brings some sun later this week.
(Information from BigCountryHomepage.com)
