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Weather Outlook Includes Possible Thunderstorms This Afternoon

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the ArkLaTex this afternoon through this evening.

April 18, 2024 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook at 5:03am Thursday, April 18, 2024. This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.

Today and tonight - A round of thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening across northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma, and southwest Arkansas ahead of a cold front. Some storms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats.

Friday through Wednesday - Periods of locally heavy rainfall may be possible this weekend from Friday evening through Sunday.

Spotter activation may be needed for this afternoon and this evening.

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the following areas in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas: Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, McCurtain, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, and San Augustine.

Sheriff Locates Missing 16-year-old (Updated - 10:23a)

April 18, 2024 - (Update): 10:23am - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has stated Jordan Dicks was located and is safe.

April 17, 2024 - (Update): 11:35pm - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department states they have followed every lead, and have not located Jordan Dicks as of 10:40pm.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is seeking the whereabouts of Jordan Dicks, 16, of Joaquin. Jordan was last seen walking away from Joaquin High School when school dismissed on April 17.

If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, contact Chief Deputy Chad Hooper at 936-572-5045.

SH 7 West Scene of Single-Vehicle Crash

April 17, 2024 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a single-vehicle crash where the vehicle involved traveled down an embankment Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Emergency personnel from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department all responded to assist those involved.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, a 4-door 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Anthony Ausbie, 23, of Nacogdoches was eastbound at an unsafe speed for road conditions when the vehicle hydroplaned. The Taurus crossed both westbound lanes before striking a guardrail and coming to rest at the bottom of a steep embankment.

Ausbie was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injury.

Ausbie was issued citations for unsafe speed and no driver’s license.

Timpson Street in Center Partially Closed for Emergency Repairs

April 16, 2024 - Notice: Timpson Street is partially closed for emergency sewer line repairs under the roadway between Park Hill Lane and Margo St. This section of Timpson St. will be closed for at least the remainder of Tuesday, April 16.

Eastbound traffic is being detoured onto Margo St toward Tenaha and westbound traffic is being detoured down Nicholson toward Nacogdoches St. to proceed to Wheeler/Hurst St.

Damages could require more substantial work and this temporary closure lasting through Wednesday, April 17.

Water Receding in Joaquin Area

April 15, 2024 - Flooding in the Joaquin area continues to be a struggle for residents and emergency personnel with areas like Sand Isle being under water Monday, April 15, 2024.

The flooding was projected to crest Monday and has been receding, reaching 32.1 feet by 1:45am Monday according to the National Weather Service.

Emergency personnel have been out helping those in need since Judge Allison Harbison issued a disaster declaration on Wednesday, April 10.

Emergency management personnel have been working with local agencies as well as outside agencies that have come to the area to assist. Sand isle is one, but not the only community impacted with flooding as it was in 2016.

Fire departments, and law enforcement, especially game wardens have been a constant presence throughout the flooding. National guard has also been present.

Many residents were out on Sunday taking advantage of the altered waterway to catch up on fishing.

Although water levels are decreasing, many roadways remain flooded, impassable and dangerous to travelers.

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Swede Johnson Boat Ramp at Lovick's Landing.

Texas Game Warden Sam Anderson is seen patroling the Sabine River near the Logansport Bridge.

FM 2572, which is the road to Swede Johnson Boat ramp, was underwater and some drivers were able to make their way through the water.

County Road 3620, as many other roads near the Sabine River, was submerged as a result of the flooding.

The high water made for very low clearance at the Logansport Bridge.

Election Administrator's Public Notice of Test of Automatic Tabulating Equipment

April 15, 2024 - Notice is hereby given that the automatic tabulating equipment that will be used in the May 2024 Cities and Schools Elections, held on May 4, 2024, will be tested on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 9am, in the Shelby County Clerk's office in Center, to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures.

Aviso Público de Prueba de Equipos de Tabulación

Por la presente se notifica que el equipo de tabulación automática que se utilizará en las Elecciones de Ciudades y Escuelas de mayo de 2024, que se llevarán a cabo el 4 de mayo de 2024, se probará el jueves 18 de abril de 2024, a las 9am, en la oficina del Secretario del Condado de Shelby en Center, para determinar que contará con precisión los votos emitidos para todos los cargos y en todas las medidas.

Report Flood Damage Using iSTAT Through TDEM

April 13, 2024 - Following the flooding, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is encouraging those who may have damage to utilize the TDEM Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to submit damages incurred by your Residence or Business property.

Click here and then choose “April 8 – Ongoing Severe Weather Event” link to follow the self-explanatory prompts for reporting.

These links are also featured on the page in English and Spanish and link directly to the iSTAT reporting page for the April 8 event: English /Español

Joaquin Receives Influx of Emergency Support

April 12, 2024 - Emergency personnel and local government representatives are constantly preparing for the coming flood. The rise in water level the community is already contending with is a potential danger for anyone Friday, April 12, 2024, as the National Weather Service currently records the Sabine River water level in Logansport to be 32.94 ft as of 4:59pm.

Jessie Griffith, Joaquin Mayor, has reported there are an additional 40 firefighters in the area that have arrived who are trained in water and swift water rescue. He says the Community Center is currently closed until further notice while the location houses the additional fire personnel.

According to Griffith there has been an outpouring of assistance from people in the community offering assistance and in helping provide food for the fire personnel from several restaurants and the local grocery store.

Griffith shared there are a lot of residents in low lying areas likely to flood who have not yet evacuated from their homes. An additional concern is for people that are “sightseeing,” and driving through areas where cones and barricades have been put in place for their safety, yet they bypass the barricades endangering themselves and those who may have to rescue them if they become trapped.

Drivers are asked to please respect any signs, or barricades that may be in place and avoid flood areas.

Commissioners Work Crews Preparing for Weather Impact

April 12, 2024 - With projected flooding already impacting Shelby County, Commissioners and their work crews are out combating the elements April 12, 2024.

As water rises in the Joaquin area Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, confirms County Roads 3605, 3620 and 3635 are impassable due to flooding.

More roads are likely to become affected.

Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, has confirmed he has three work crews cutting trees which fell recently due to weather on several roads in his precinct and they have been working on them for the past three days. He currently has one road that has been under water, but its water level has been receding.

Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, says his crews are working several areas in his precinct adding material back to the worst washouts. All roads remain open.

Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirms two roadways in his precinct affected by flooding. County Road 4760 is already closed due to work already ongoing and County Road 4117, which crosses into Nacogdoches County, is a roadway that will likely be impacted. Commissioner Bellmyer states the Attoyac is expected to crest Saturday or Sunday and is likely to be slow to recede.

Heavy Flooding Projected for Joaquin Area; Emergency, Local Officials Prepare

National Weather Service Hydrologic graph flood projection.

April 11, 2024 - (Photos Courtesy Commissioner Stevie Smith) - The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of flooding which will impact Shelby County along the Sabine River in Joaquin and south of there over the coming weekend April 12 - April 15. Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department, city and county officials are preparing for the impending flood.

According to NWS hydrologic data, on Tuesday the water level on the river was at around 24 feet and as of April 11 at 11am it was 29.72 feet. Projections are that the water level will reach over 35.5 feet by Monday, April 15.

NWS flood warning issued on April 10, 2024 at 10:56pm states the Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas, Louisiana Sabine River at Logansport affecting Panola, Shelby and De Soto Counties.

For the Sabine River, including Logansport major flooding is forecast.

The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department warns the river is now forecast to rise higher than it did in 2016. Possibly as much as two feet higher, which means areas that didn’t flood then will flood now.

Please plan accordingly, and don’t wait too late to evacuate.

This is a very dangerous situation. Sand and sandbags are available for free at the Joaquin VFD Central Station in downtown Joaquin.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.