Heavy Rain Brings Flooding to Shelby County Roadways (Updated at 9:13am)

August 28, 2020 - State Highway 87 from FM 415 south to FM 1645 has been reported to Shelby County Today as being flooded as of 7:39am.

State Highway 7 and U.S. Highway 84 in Joaquin have shut down as a result of the rain.

As of 8am, Southview Circle just south of San Augustine Street in Center is flooded with high water of around 18 inches. Travelers should use caution and avoid this area until the water recedes.

Shelby County Courthouse Extends Closure to Friday

August 27, 2020 - The Shelby County Courthouse will remain closed Friday, August 28 due to the power outage.

August 25, 2020 - The Shelby County Courthouse will be closed on Thursday, August 27, due to possible high wind and flash flooding.

The courthouse will reopen on Friday, August 28.

FM 417 Impassable; Crews Working to Clear Roads (Open)

August 27, 2020 - FM 417 is free-flowing again, as of 2:22pm. Small debris remains on the roadway at different locations, and travelers should continue to use caution.

Commissioner Barr Advises Caution Around Power Lines

August 27, 2020 - Shelby County Commissioners are currently working to assess the damage incurred in the area resulting from Hurricane Laura.

Charles Barr, Precinct 3 Commissioner, advises a lot of downed trees are wrapped in power lines and are not able to be handled by commissioner crews.

If anyone sees down power lines, wrapped in trees or not, contact Deep East Texas Electric Co-op, SWEPCO, or whoever your electric provider may be.

Further updates are expected from county officials as the extent of the damage is realized.

SWEPCO Hurricane Update

August 27, 2020 - SWEPCO reports at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2020 the following Hurricane Laura Outage Update.

Damage Being Assessed in Shelby County Following Hurricane Laura

August 27, 2020 - Emergency personnel throughout Shelby County continue to respond to damaged areas, clearing debris and assisting those in need after and during Hurricane Laura passing through the area.

City of Center Phones Lines Down, Alternative Number to Call

August 27, 2020 - For City of Center services please call 936/598-2788. City Hall phones are down due to the power outage.

Roadway Conditions and Alerts (Updated 9:08am)

August 27, 2020 - Road conditions being reported by TxDOT and Shelby County Today viewers:

NWS Cancels Hurricane Laura Warning, Issues Tropical Storm Warning

August 27, 2020 - The National Weather Service cancelled the Hurricane Warning for Laura and issued a Tropical Storm warning at 7:27am, Thursday, August 27, 2020.

A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

Winds
Lastest local forecast: Below tropical storm force wind
- Peak wind forecast of 25-35 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

SCAM ALERT: Beware of Entities Posing as State Agencies to Send Purchase Orders

August 27, 2020 - Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a consumer alert warning Texans and Texas companies to exercise caution with any purchase order purporting to come from a state agency when they have not established prior contact with that agency. Recently, scammers and entities posing as state agencies have sent out purchase orders for goods. The company receiving the fraudulent purchase order then processes the order, ships the goods and never receives payment from the scammers.

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