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July 14, 2024 - Timpson City Council held an emergency meeting Friday, July 12, 2024, at 4pm in the Volunteer Fire Department fire hall due to the damage incurred at the city building during Tropical Storm Beryl.
Mayor Debra Smith opened the meeting and the council considered and first approved the authorization of business operations of City Hall to be temporarily moved to 305 Jacob St., including public meetings.
Council member Judd “Tuffy” Green moved to approve the authorization with council member Terri Alexander seconding the motion and it carried.
Mayor Smith thanked the fire department for allowing the city to utilize their fire hall.
Shelby County recently issued a disaster declaration, and the council agreed to amend the declaration issued by the county and apply “City of Timpson” for use to submit to the state.
Council member Terri Alexander moved to amend the declaration to include the city’s complications, and her motion was seconded by council member Penny Ramsey. The motion carried.
The council discussed the emergency purchase of a wireless/radio float system to regain full functionality of the water tower. The current hardwire system is cut in multiple places causing the city to have to manually fill the water tower.
Larry Burns, Public Works, explained they are having to fill the water tower every four hours and it’s around 1,500 feet from the pump house to the water tower. Burns said the wire isn’t very effective as it’s been torn down by trucks over the years and a wireless system would be more beneficial.
Mayor Smith presented a quote from Lonestar Global in the amount of $13,500 to be paid out of the water department.
Council member Alexander moved to make the purchase, and the motion was seconded by council member Ramsey. The motion carried.
Mayor Smith inquired how long it would be before the system would be installed and Burns said it would be seven days out.
Ryan Knight addressed the council and explained the city if Timpson is insured through Texas Municipal League (TML) Incident Risk Pool and with that there is a specific benefit just to TML members called the “Turn Key Recovery Program,” which is implemented by Synergy which Knight represents.
“What we do is we basically take this as an example of what's going on with this tornado. We get the community back up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. While the city focus on their people and their tasks, we'll take care of all of the other other stuff. There is no cost to the city for the services. It's a specific benefit for TML members,” said Knight.
Knight said the only thing that the city would be liable for is the deductible, which is standard, and the benefit includes the entire build back.
To discuss and take action authorizing the mayor, Larry Burns, and Misty Burgess to work with Synergy and TML to complete any claims, authorize emergency purchases, and enter into the bid process for completing the renovation of City Hall
Council member Alexander moved to approve Mayor Smith, Larry Burns and Misty Burgess to help complete any claims and authorize emergency purchases. The motion was seconded by council member Green and the motion carried.
One of the last items for the council to consider was taking the necessary steps for an approved vendor to be accepted to handle debris removal pursuant to the emergency declaration and TDEM steps on debris removal.
“So I'm guessing this the way this is going to work is that you allow me and Larry to work with TCEQ and emergency management to see what the process is to select a vendor to do this and if it's something that they have to submit bids or whatever, we'll have to have another meeting,” said Mayor Smith.
Mayor Smith said what she understood to be the first step is to have to find a site they can take the debris to burn because the Texas government has decided wood from one location to another, even if it’s a very close distance, could be unsafe somehow.
Not only would city representatives have to approve a site, the county judge, emergency management and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, would also have to approve a site.
Discussion covered how much acreage might be needed to burn to the possibility if any of it could be used for fire wood in the future.
Council member Alexander moved to give Mayor Smith the authority to take the necessary steps to handle debris removal. The motion was seconded by council member Ramsey and the motion carried.
Mayor Smith explained that a business owner provided a portable building for the city to use for four months at no charge until repairs could be accomplished in the city.
Council member Alexander moved to purchase the building after the four month time period in the amount of $6,997.25. The motion was seconded by council member Ramsey and the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 4:35pm.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Declaration of Emergency for City of Timpson
2. Emergency purchase of wireless/radio float system to regain full functionality of the water tower. Currently hardwire system is cut in multiple places causing us to manually fill the water tower.
3. Authorize the mayor, Larry Burns, and Misty Burgess to work with Synergy and TML to complete any claims, authorize emergency purchases, and enter into the bid process for completing the renovation of City Hall.
4. Take the necessary steps for an approved vendor to be accepted to handle debris removal pursuant to the emergency declaration and TDEM steps On debris removal.
5. Authorize the business operations of City Hall to be Temporarily moved to 305 Jacob St, including public meetings.
6. Any other emergency items - Purchase portable building after the four month loan time period in the amount of $6,997.25
7. Adjourn - 4:35pm.
Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. Discuss and take action on the possible demolition of the building that housed the Police Dept, the storage room, and equipment bays with the agreement to accept ACV From TML.
July 12, 2024 - Timpson Mayor Debra Smith announces that Timpson now has power restored in all sectors as of Friday evening, July 12.
July 10, 2024 - Due to the damage incurred by Hurricane Beryl to the City of Timpson City Hall, an alternate office location is being established, as well as temporary office hours.
Below is a schedule of when Paula Davis Mullins and Misty Miller Burgess will be conducting Limited Business at Timpson Volunteer Fire Department until a temporary office is delivered and set up. The office will be closed July 10-11.
Thank you for your patience. Mayor Debra Smith
Temporary Office Hours
Timpson City Hall at TVFD
305 Jacob Street
- Friday, July 12 - 10-4
- Saturday, July 13 - 10-2
- Monday, July 15 - 9-3
No Pink Notices
*waive late fee
- Tuesday, July 16 - 9-3
- Wednesday, July 17 - 9-3
- Thursday, July 18 - 9-3
- Friday, July 19 - 8-4
Due to the damage incurred by Hurricane Beryl to the City of Timpson City Hall, an alternate office location is being established, as well as temporary office hours.
Below is a schedule of when Paula Davis Mullins and Misty Miller Burgess will be conducting Limited Business at Timpson Volunteer Fire Department until a temporary office is delivered and set up. The office will be closed July 10-11.
Thank you for your patience. Mayor Debra Smith
Temporary Office Hours
Timpson City Hall at TVFD
305 Jacob Street
- Friday, July 12 - 10-4
- Saturday, July 13 - 10-2
- Monday, July 15 - 9-3
No Pink Notices
*waive late fee
- Tuesday, July 16 - 9-3
- Wednesday, July 17 - 9-3
- Thursday, July 18 - 9-3
- Friday, July 19 - 8-4
Last day before Cut-Off
** Monday July 22 9-5*
Tuesday July 23 8-4
*unpaid accounts will be cut off starting at 10am
** Monday July 22 9-5*
** Tuesday July 23 8-4
*unpaid accounts will be cut off starting at 10am
July 11, 2024 - Solid Waste Dumpsters are available in each Precinct within Shelby County. This service is provided free to the residents in each Precinct as a courtesy. However, it has come to our attention that restricted items are being placed in the dumpsters. Restricted items consist of personal household trash, tires, paint, oil, and batteries.
The improper use of the dumpsters leads to problems with hazardous waste and excessive waste. If the problems keep occurring, we will have no choice but to discontinue this service to the residents in each Precinct.
July 11, 2024 - (Update - 11:52am): The Shelby County Sheriff's Department reports Bergeaux has been located.
Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate Amos Bergeaux, 50, of Joaquin.
Bergeaux is described as a white male, 5’8”tall, and weighs 200 pounds. He has brown hair, hazel eyes and wears glasses.
Anyone with information on Bergeaux’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 936.598.5601.
July 10, 2024 - Governor Greg Abbott announced today that 67 Texas counties have been approved for federal disaster assistance as part of a Major Disaster Declaration approved by the President following impacts to the state from Hurricane Beryl.
“As federal, state, and local officials continue to assess damages in impacted communities, Texas is working around-the-clock to respond and help Texans recover from Hurricane Beryl,” said Governor Abbott. “President Biden approved 67 counties for federal disaster assistance after Texas requested a Major Disaster Declaration yesterday. This approval is a critical step forward in our efforts to provide assistance to impacted Texans across the state. I remain in contact with Acting Governor Dan Patrick, Chief Nim Kidd, and other state and local officials on our ongoing response and recovery efforts. Our team is also in regular contact with electrical providers to ensure power is quickly restored to all Texans. I thank Acting Governor Patrick, state officials, emergency management personnel, and first responders for working tirelessly to deliver all necessary aid to our fellow Texans."
The following counties have been included in the federal disaster declaration: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Cameron, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Goliad, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hidalgo, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Refugio, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, and Willacy. Additional counties may be requested for inclusion in the federal disaster declaration as damage assessments are completed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will also make its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program available statewide at the request of the State of Texas.
The Major Disaster Declaration allows for reimbursement for up to 75 percent of costs associated with expenses for debris removal and emergency protective measures. The State of Texas may make additional requests as damage assessments are completed.
Texas continues to surge state emergency response and recovery resources into impacted communities, including personnel, generators, tarps, fuel, ready-to-eat meals, water, and ice.
Additionally, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has a map available to locate cooling centers opened and operated by local officials. TDEM’s cooling center map can be found at tdem.texas.gov/cool.
Yesterday, following Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd’s meeting with Acting Governor Dan Patrick and Houston Major John Whitmire at the City of Houston Emergency Center where they received a briefing on the city’s response and recovery efforts, the State of Texas deployed 25 additional ambulances and a 250 bed medical shelter to support local EMS and hospital capacity needs in the Houston area. This asset will serve as a resource for the greater Houston area, including neighboring communities, to support emergency medical response needs as responders prioritize life-safety and address acute medical needs.
Texans who sustained property damage are urged to report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. iSTAT surveys can be filled out in English and Spanish by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking “July 7th - Ongoing Hurricane/Tropical Storm Beryl.”
Information provided through the iSTAT damage survey helps point emergency management officials to damage in affected areas. Details submitted through the online survey also also helps identify immediate resource needs. Additionally, survey information aids officials in determining whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of federal disaster assistance.
Reporting damage through the iSTAT tool is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance company. It does not guarantee disaster relief assistance. English and Spanish tutorial videos explaining how to fill out iSTAT surveys are available at damage.tdem.texas.gov.
More information about the federal resources available for Texans as a result of Hurricane Beryl can be found at fema.gov/disaster/4798.
The State of Texas continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities from the impacts of Hurricane Beryl, including:
July 9– Governor Abbott Provided an Update On Hurricane Beryl Response In Texas and Acting Governor Patrick Held a Press Conference and Media Availability
July 8– Acting Governor Dan Patrick Provided an Update on Hurricane Beryl Response Efforts
July 7– Acting Governor Patrick Held a Press Conference on Hurricane Beryl to Update Texans on the State’s Preparation Efforts
July 6– Acting Governor Patrick Expanded Disaster Declarations for an Additional 81 Counties
July 5– Acting Governor Patrick Issued a Disaster Declaration for 40 Counties and Held a Press Conference
July 4– Governor Abbott directed TDEM to increase the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center
July 3– Governor Abbott Directed TDEM to Issue Hurricane Beryl Advisory Notice for Texas Emergency Management Council
July 2– Texas Emergency Management Officials Urged Texans to Keep an Eye on the Gulf this Holiday Week
Updated 5:32pm: Commissioner Smith reports CR 3129 has been cleared and is back open to traffic.
July 9, 2024 - Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 4, states County Road 3129 is closed to thru traffic July 9, 2024.
This is due to multiple trees across the road one mile past north Jericho church.
July 10, 2024 - Officers with the Center Police Department conducted a traffic stop on July 9, 2024, in the 900 block of Hurst St. that resulted in one arrest on outstanding warrants, drug, and weapon charges.
Officer Michael Davidson observed a 2010 Ford F-150 traveling northbound on Hurst St. that failed to stop or yield right of way at an intersection located at Hurst St. and Timpson St.
Officer Davidson activated his emergency lights and conducted the traffic stop. Officer Davidson contacted the driver who was identified as Everret Pedescleaux, 39 years of age, of Livingston, TX. Officer Davidson requested a backup officer respond to assist.
Sgt. Brian Wright and his K9 partner, Enzo arrived on scene to assist.
Sgt. Wright deployed K9 Enzo to conduct an open-air search around Everrets' vehicle. K9 Enzo alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle.During a search of Everrets' vehicle, a loaded pistol, approximately a pound of marijuana, and $15,000 dollars in U.S. Currency were located in the vehicle. Along with other items found were packaging materials, a vacuum, and a heat seal machine
Everret was found to have outstanding warrants out of San Jacinto County for drug charges and he was placed into custody on the outstanding warrant, drug, and firearm charges.
Everret was transported to the Shelby County Sheriff's office and booked into the Shelby County Jail without issue.
July 10, 2024 - WHEREAS, the County of Shelby, Texas, has suffered from severe storms, tornados, and high winds that occurred prior to and on this the 8th day of July, 2024. The severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage to public, private, and commercial property, disruption of utility services, and endangerment of health and safety of the residents of Shelby County and Cities within the disaster area.
WHEREAS, because of the severe weather and that Shelby County is in imminent threat of additional widespread storms or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from countywide severe weather conditions. Flooding in the populated areas has caused major damage to roads and bridges preventing access to/or the safe passage on many roadways. Many trees have been blown down and limbs have fallen on power lines causing countywide power outages. Such conditions have created a public safety hazard.
WHEREAS, the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect life, as well as protect or rehabilitate property, are necessary and hereby ordered.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more that seven days from the date of the declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.
Ill. Pursuant to Section 418.108(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 toSection 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the county city Emergency Management Plan.
SWEPCO crew seen above set up at the intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive.
Update: The traffic light on Hurst Street at Roughrider Drive in Center is operational as of 12:15pm Wednesday, July 10.
July 10, 2024 - A SWEPCO crew is set up at the intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive in Center where the traffic lights are still not functioning as of 12-noon on July 10, 2024.
July 10, 2024 - The intersection in Timpson has been reported to now be functional, as of 10:49am.
July 9, 2024 - The intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Jacob Street in Timpson has also been without power to the traffic lights at that intersection and remains without power as of 7:53pm.
The intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive in Center was the scene of a major crash Tuesday, July, 9, 2024, between an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck.
The traffic lights at this intersection remain off since the recent storm, and were not in operation when the crash occurred.
Drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution at this intersection and when approaching any intersection where the lights are not operating as they should be.
Take all effort to follow necessary traffic laws and help prevent another crash.
The truck-tractor involved appeared to have collided with the pickup truck in the middle of the intersection, and after being evaluated by EMS, neither driver was transported to the emergency room by ambulance.
As the day has progressed, yet another two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive in Center at around 2:20pm. Center Police Department officers have continued to work traffic at the intersection, as many drivers either inadvertently travel through the intersection because they don’t realize the traffic light is inoperable, or just dismiss it altogether.
Center Police Department, Center Fire Department and EMS personnel all to returned to the scene of the previous incident and while Center Police officers investigated the crash, Center Fire Department personnel diverted traffic through a nearby shopping center parking lot to keep the flow of traffic moving. Once the scene was clear, the traffic lights remained off and traffic returned to “normal” with some driver’s treating the intersection as a four-way stop and others not knowing what to do in the absence of a traffic signal.
At around 3:11pm a TxDOT truck was on scene for a time. Electric utility trucks were on scene at around 5:30pm before departing as well.
As of 5:58pm the lights are still not reported to be functioning.
July 9, 2024 - After dealing with the constant flow of traffic on Hurst Street in Center and the increased danger of traffic incidents, the Center Police Department has issued a statement the evening of July 9, 2024.
The Center Police Department is aware of the traffic light at Hurst St. and Roughrider Drive that is currently not working. They have relayed the information to TxDOT.
Hurst St. is a U.S. Highway and TxDOT has jurisdiction over the traffic lighting.
The Center Police Department states it currently has Officers stationed at that intersection and their Officers are working traffic violations at that intersection to slow drivers down, and make them aware of the traffic light.
The statement further notifies that while the traffic light is not working, that intersection is to be treated as a four-way-stop.
If traveling in the area please be aware of that intersection and the inoperable traffic lights.
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