Bosque River flooding shuts down highway travel

Bosque River flooding shuts down highway travel Subhead One death by drowning reported Nathan Diebenow Wed, 05/08/2024 - 06:09 Image

• Nathan Diebenow | The Clifton Record In the distance, first responders wait for a heliocopter to pick them up on FM 219 between two bridges outside Clifton City Park flooded out by the Bosque River on Sunday morning, May 5.
• Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune Using a wet-dry vacuum, Tom Godby removes mud left over by flood waters in the American Legion Post in Clifton City Park on Monday morning, May 6.
• Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune Flood waters coupled with debris damaged the metal door at the Armory and a soccer goal at Clifton City Park on Monday morning, May 6.

Body

The City of Clifton temporarily turned into an island for the first time in 34 years as heavy rains brought record-breaking flood waters to Bosque County last weekend.

The Bosque River and several nearby creeks broke their banks making bridges and highways impassable from all directions – thanks to water falling within a short time late Saturday and early Sunday.

During the night and the morning, first responders in Bosque and McLennan counties performed swift water rescues of multiple people stuck on rooftops and bridges in Bosque County.

Several rescues were delayed due to flooding of low-water crossings in the south and west section of the county.

Drowning

The Bosque County Sheriff’s Office reported one death due to drowning at night Sunday morning.

The BCSO dispatch received a 911 call from a woman stating her husband left their residence checking on the rising water nearby their RV near a creek. She was unable to contact her husband, she said, according to the BCSO.

“Due to flooding roadways, emergency responders were hindered in their arrival on scene. Eventually, responders were able to make it to the location, finding and rescuing the female,” the BCSO said in a statement. “After a search of the area, responders located the body of the husband who had been swept away in the rushing water and drowned.”

At the time of publication, BCSO had not released the identity of the deceased because the department was still in the process of notifying family members.

Road closures

Hazardous roadway conditions caused several area churches, civic groups, and art clubs to cancel or postpone their activities on Sunday.

Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Norse reported that CR4150 was closed near its property as flood waters had completely washed out a bridge opening a deep hole in the roadway.

For several hours on Sunday, the Texas Department of Transportation temporarily blocked travel on Highway 6 due to the high waters on Meridian Creek to the north as well as on FM 219 due to high water over two bridges to the east of Clifton.

On Sunday evening, the TXDoT stated that Highway 6 would remain closed for up to three days while inspecting the roadway at Neils Creek to the south of Clifton.

“Until such time as it is re-opened, the detour will be routed through Moshiem. FM 2602 to FM 215, then to FM 217 to Hwy 6,” Bosque County Sheriff Trace Hendricks said. “Follow signs, do not drive around barricades.”

In addition, TXDoT stated that several other roads would be closed until water subsides and the roadways are safe for vehicle travel. The closures included:

• US 84 near FM 932 – westbound traffic is advised to use FM 932 to FM 1241 to US 281 back to US 84; eastbound US 281 to SH 36.

• SH 174 bridge over Brazos River – traffic will be advised to use FM 933 in Hill County and FM 56 in Bosque County down to FM 1713 to cross over the lake.

• SH 6 near Valley Mills – northbound traffic being diverted to SH 317, southbound traffic to FM 2602.

• FM 56 north of SH 6 in Valley Mills.

• FM 413 in Falls County from FM 2413 to FM 1771.

• FM 2413 near County Road 257 in Falls County

• FM 1991 and FM 219 near Clifton. The Clifton Police Department stated that residents should direct their questions about road closures to the Texas Department of Transportation by calling TXDoT at (254) 435-2258.

Current road conditions can also be found online at drivetexas.org/.

Ostriches

Superior Ostrich Ranch reported that it was missing over 130 ostriches from its ranch located between Clifton and Valley Mills and Waco.

“We need your help to find them and get them home safely!” the ranch said in a statement. “Do not approach them as they might be scared or defensive.”

If you see any ostriches loose in Bosque County, contact the ranch at (214) 514-3934.

Clifton City Park

The flood waters engulfed Clifton City Park such that the water left at least an inch of mud on the floors of the American Legion’s post and the Armory.

On Monday morning, volunteers started cleaning up the Post and the Armory with squeegees and wet-dry vacuums.

Post Commander J.D. Godby stated that the post will be closed until Legion's executive committee evaluates the damage to the property and equipment affected by the flooding.

The Clifton Youth Sports Organization announced that its board would meet on Monday night to adapt plans and evaluate the fields at old Cub Stadium for the upcoming youth soccer season.

The flood waters not only moved the new soccer goals around the fields but severely mangled one goal.

“Despite these challenges, we remain committed to ensuring that the soccer season moves forward,” CYSO said in a statement. “We will spare no effort in making it the best possible experience for our players, coaches, and supporters.”

The CYSO continued, “We owe a debt of gratitude to Roman Montes and Lorenzo Galindo for their tireless efforts in maintaining the fields, as well as to all involved in the planning and acquisition of new equipment, including the now-swept-away goals.”

The previous Tuesday, the City of Clifton closed portions of Clifton City Park after a flood damaged two bridges that weekend.

Water and sewer services

The City of Clifton said in a statement that the city’s water and sewer services remained functional during the recent flash flooding.

“In the event that you see an overflowing manhole, it is important to know that this issue will continue until the sewer plant is able to manage the excessive water flow,” city hall said.

The statement continued, “The diligent efforts of the public works department, Clifton Police Department, and Volunteer Fire Departments have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for working to keep our town safe.”

Records

According to the National Weather Service's monitoring station in Clifton, the Bosque River crested at 35.89 feet at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, the second highest on record. By the evening, the river was down well below major flood stages.

The highest crest in Clifton occurred at 38.30 feet in 1991; the new third place crest is 34.88 feet in 1959, the NWS’s records showed.

In October 2023, the river experienced two high crests within two days of each other in Clifton: 26.30 feet on October 26 and 33.02 feet on October 28, according to the NWS.