The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
August 27, 2020 - Road conditions being reported by TxDOT and Shelby County Today viewers:
- TxDOT ALERT: Trees reported down in Shelby County at FM 417 about 2 miles west of US 96 and on FM 2694 at Boles Field. Motorists should avoid the areas and stay alert to remaining storm conditions.
- TxDOT ALERT: Power lines are reported down and entangled in a fallen tree on FM 417 and FM 2694 in Shelby County. Motorists should avoid the area as storm conditions persist. Crews will respond once it is safe to clear the scene.
- CR 2582 is blocked
- The tree on Shelbyville Street in Center has been cleared out of the roadway
- Trees down across FM 138 (Arcadia Road), FM 139 (Huxley area), and Boles Field Road.
Other Counties:
- TxDOT ALERT: Both lanes of traffic are closed on SH 21, just off SH 103 in Sabine County due to downed trees. Motorists should choose alternate routes and avoid the area until storm cleanup can begin and roads are cleared.
- TxDOT ALERT: Multiple locations of downed trees being reported in Sabine County including at SH 103 at Maddux Creek, FM 276 and on FM 2024. Motorists should avoid these areas until roadways are cleared.
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.
Threat to Life and Property that includes typical forecast uncertainty in track, size and intensity: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph.
- The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force.
- PREPARE: Last minute efforts to protect life and property should now be complete. The area remains subject to significant wind damage.
- ACT: Now is the time to shelter from dangerous wind.
Potential Impacts: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding.
Flooding Rain
Latest local forecast: Flash Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
Threat to life and property that includes typical forecast uncertainty in track, size and intensity: Potential for major flooding rain.
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely.
- PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
Potential Impacts: Extensive
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Tornado
Latest Local Forecast: Tornado Watch is in effect
- Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
Threat to life and property that includes typical forecast uncertainty in track, size and intensity: Potential for a few tornadoes.
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should continue to include possible tornadoes.
- PREPARE: Stay within your shelter keeping informed of the latest tornado situation.
- ACT: Move quickly to the safest place within your shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
Potential Impacts: Limited
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.
For more information: http://ready.gov/hurricanes
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.
“All Texans should be aware of unsolicited purchase orders and requests from fraudsters impersonating leaders in their government. This is a scam that deceitful individuals are using to enrich themselves at the expense of hardworking citizens,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My office has a long history of pursuing those who attempt to defraud Texans and we stand ready to assist anyone harmed by these schemes.”
Texas state agencies have detailed procurement procedures for purchase orders and contracts. All unsolicited purchase orders supposedly sent from state agencies should be independently verified through direct contact with the agency.
August 26, 2020 - A tornado watch is in effect until 8am for the following locations, including Shelby County.
Texas counties included are:
Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Tyler.
August 26, 2020 - Significant Weather Advisory for De Soto, Northwestern Red River, and Southwestern Caddo Parishes Southeastern Harrison, Panola, and Shelby Counties until 7:15pm CDT.
At 623 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Mansfield to 7 miles northeast of Logansport to near Shelbyville. Movement was northwest at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include: Shreveport, Carthage, Center, Mansfield, Greenwood, Blanchard, Waskom, Stonewall, Logansport, Tenaha, Timpson, Beckville, Joaquin, Deberry, Elysian Fields, Neuville, Shelbyville, Scottsville, South Mansfield and Gary City.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 9pm CDT for northwestern Louisiana, and eastern and northeastern Texas.
Stay alert for signal outages and flooding
August 26, 2020 - TxDOT is reminding the public to stay alert to traffic signals that may not work in the case of power outages and possible flooded roadways during Hurricane Laura.
Traffic signals that are not working due to electrical power outages should be treated as a four-way stop intersection.
“It is likely with possible power outages that motorists could encounter signal lights that are not operating,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “Motorists must stop at the intersection before proceeding. A blacked-out traffic signal is the same as a four-way stop.”
Motorists should also stay alert for flooded roadways and never drive through flooded areas. If barricades are set, do not attempt to drive around them.
Drivers should remain alert beginning tonight through tomorrow. Power outages and downed trees could cause some roadways to be blocked. TxDOT crews will respond and clear the roadways as soon as it is safe to do so.
“We are currently working 12-hour shifts and will continue this work schedule until the roadways are clear and open,” said Oaks. “We encourage people to stay off the road, if possible. Once the storm passes and motorists begin to move about, we urge them to stay alert for TxDOT and emergency workers responding to this emergency. Give them room to work and slow down.”
Visit drivetexas.org for statewide road closures. Follow the Lufkin District alerts on Twitter at TxDOT Lufkin. For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
August 26, 2020 - Whereas, the County of Shelby, Texas, on the 26th of August, 2020, is in imminent threat of being in the path of Hurricane Laura as described in reports by the United States National Weather Service and the Texas State Operations Center, potentially causing widespread injury or loss of life and severe property damage resulting from conditions created by torrential rainfall, major flooding with high speed winds and tornadic activity over an excessive period of time in residential, agricultural and commercial areas, as well as, major infrastructure damage preventing access to, or the safe passage on many roadways, as well as, the potential for long term countywide electrical power and utility outages. Such conditions will create an imminent public safety hazard.
WHEREAS, the County Judge of Shelby County, Texas, has determined, based upon trajectory reports issued by the National Weather Service and the Texas State Operations Center, that extraordinary measures be taken to protect life, as well as, to protect and/or rehabilitate property, and are necessary and hereby ordered.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF SHELBY COUNTY:
I. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(0) of the Texas Government Code.
II. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.
III. Pursuant to Section 415.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
IV. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the county/city Emergency Management Plan.
Ordered this 26th day of August, 2020.
August 26, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved for the County Auditor to conduct an audit of the District Attorney Forfeiture/Seizure funds during their meeting held Wednesday morning, August 26, 2020.
According to the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the audit, "All law enforcement agencies and attorneys representing the state who receive proceeds or property under this chapter shall account for the seizure, forfeiture, receipt, and specific expenditure of all the proceeds and property in an audit, which is to be performed annually by the commissioners court or governing body of a municipality, as appropriate. The annual period of the audit for a law enforcement agency is the fiscal year of the appropriate county or municipality and the annual period for an attorney representing the state is the state fiscal year."
County Attorney Gary Rholes stated, "I hear they might try to get rid of that the next session, or require a conviction before you get the money, seizure money."
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, commented there is a lot of it, suggesting there is a lot of money currently held by the county subject to seizure.
"It needs to all be done per law, by code and it needs to be done timely too as far as I'm concerned," said County Judge Allison Harbison. "I don't know whether it is or not, but I'm just saying that we have a lot in there and I really think it should move a little bit faster than that."
She said she hopes everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing lawfully.
A motion carried to approve the County Auditor to conduct audit of District Attorney Forfeiture/Seizure funds per code of criminal procedure 59.06(g)(1).
Agenda items approved during the meeting inlcude: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. County Auditor to conduct audit of District Attorney Forfeiture/Seizure funds per code of criminal procedure 59.06(g)(1).. 3. Adjourn.
August 26, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 8:49am on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, TxDSHS has reported 1 new case and the cumulative case count is now 426. The death count is 14 for Shelby County. (The DSHS website dashboard shows 19 deaths for Shelby County as of Aug 25th.)
According to the state's algorithm to determine recoveries, there are no new recoveries reported and the total of recoveries is 383. The number of active cases is 29.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages:
Active Cases in each zip code: (Change in Data)
Center (75935) - 14 (1 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 6
Shelbyville (75973) - 2
Tenaha (75974) - 3
Timpson (75975) - 4
Cumulative Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 282 (1 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 29
Shelbyville (75973) - 27
Tenaha (75974) - 50
Timpson (75975) - 38
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20: 40 cases
Ages 21 to 40: 139 cases (1 new)
Ages 41 to 60: 128 cases, 4 deaths
Ages 61 to 80: 77 cases, 4 deaths
Ages 81 to 100: 35 cases, 6 deaths
Age unknown: 7 cases
August 26, 2020 - Hostess Brands, LLC (“Hostess Brands”) is expanding its voluntary recall of certain Hostess® Raspberry Zingers® because the product may develop mold prior to the best by date.
The products were sold to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.
Consumers who have purchased the affected product are urged to discontinue consumption and contact the place of purchase about returning them for a full refund.
This recall does not affect any other Hostess Brands products.
Consumers with questions may contact 1-800-483-7253 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central Time.
Hostess Brands, LLC is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas and operates bakeries in Emporia, Kansas, Chicago, Illinois, Columbus, Georgia, Indianapolis, Indiana and through its Voortman Cookies Limited subsidiary, Burlington, Ontario.
Pages
