Shelby County Today

July 8, 2024 - Shelby County Tax Assessor-Collector Debora Riley advises the Tax Office and the Motor Vehicle offices will be closed today due to weather. The office should open back up tomorrow with regular business hours.

July 8, 2024 - Tornado Watch 514 is in effect until 10pm CDT for the following locations: 

Texas counties included are: Angelina, Bowie Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Marion, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, and Walker.

July 6, 2024 - State Highway 7 (SH7) East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, July 5, 2024, involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle at around 9pm.

According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:40pm, a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle ridden by Franklin Jackson II, 56, of Joaquin was traveling west, followed by a silver 2018 Hyundai Elantra passenger car driven by Jamesala Pucillo, 34, of Mansfield, La. It is reported that the Kawasaki slowed to make a left turn into a private drive and was struck in the rear by the Hyundai.

Jackson lost his life as a result of the incident and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. Melba Rodgers, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, was also on scene.

He was later transported from the location by Watson & Sons Funeral Home. 

EMS were on scene and transported Pucillo by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.

DPS reports Pucillo was not injured, and displayed signs of intoxication and is facing intoxication charges and unlawful carrying of a weapon. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and no further information is available.

Personnel with the Center Fire Department, Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD), and DeSoto Fire District 1 halted traffic at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and State Highway 7 in Joaquin, as well as State Highway 7 and FM 2608 in the James Community so Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers could investigate the scene of the crash and other traffic wouldn’t get caught stopped at the scene for several hours.

Additional units with JVFD had both ends of the scene closed near CR 3182 for approximately a mile to allow for DPS to perform their investigation assisted by Constables from Precincts 4 and 5, as well as the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

The roadway was reopened at around 12:55am, July 6.

July 6, 2024 - FEMA is monitoring Hurricane Beryl, which is likely to affect portions of Texas this week with dangerous storm surge and flash flooding. FEMA is coordinating closely with our state, local and tribal partners. At this time, there are no unmet needs.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center is warning of a risk for damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge along portions of the lower and middle Texas coast starting Sunday.

Flash and urban flooding is likely across portions of the Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas beginning late Sunday through the middle of next week. While Beryl is a tropical storm as of Saturday, July 6, strengthening is expected to begin tonight or on Sunday and Beryl is currently forecast to become a hurricane before it reaches the Texas coast.

The time to prepare is now. Residents and visitors in the storm’s potential path should closely monitor the weather, follow directions from local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so. Download the free FEMA App to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area. You can find more hurricane preparedness information on Ready.gov and Listo.gov.

“The safety of you and your family is too important to wait, now is the time to make final preparations for Hurricane Beryl,” cautioned FEMA’s Regional Administrator Tony Robinson. “Understand the risks in your area, consider your family’s specific needs, listen to directions from local officials and be prepared for possible power outages lasting up to several days,” he added.   

FEMA continues to work closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and has pre-positioned staff and resources to support local and state efforts. Specific information on Tropical Storm Beryl can be found at tdem.texas.gov/disasters/beryl.

Tips to Stay Safe Before, During and After a Hurricane

• Do not focus on the exact track of this storm. Tropical storm force winds may extend up to 125 miles from the center. Additionally, large swells generated by Beryl are expected to reach much of the Gulf Coast today. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
• Be in the know about your evacuation zone. You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Act now by learning your evacuation routes, practice with your household and pets, and identify where you will stay. Learn more about how to evacuate safely on Ready.gov. 
• Know how to stay safe during high winds, storm surge and flooding. Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding. Evacuate immediately if you are told to do so. Take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds. Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
• Stay informed. It’s important for residents and visitors in these areas to follow the instructions of state and local officials by monitoring local radio or television stations for updated emergency information.
• Turn Around. Don’t Drown®. Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas at bridges and at highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle or fall if you are walking through it. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups.
• Stay out of floodwater. Walking, swimming, or driving through flood waters is extremely dangerous.
• Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as wild or stray animals, human and livestock waste, and chemicals that can lead to illness.
• Have a plan.  Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when a severe storm hits. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after severe weather.

Other Important Tips:

• Hurricanes can affect power systems, causing power outages. If the power goes out, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting and NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
• Remember, gas pumps, automated teller machines (ATMs), medical equipment, computers, cell phone chargers, grocery store checkout counters, escalators and elevators may not work during a power outage.
• When using generators, always use them outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding.

For the latest information on Hurricane Beryl preparedness, follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6.