The big thunderstorms and 3 – 4” of rain on Sunday June 22nd 2015 added more insult to continuing injury when high winds created rough waves on flooded Lake Texoma. Homes, buildings, docks, boats, roads and bridges already weakened by flood waters sustained more damage as a result of the harsh wave action, pummeling submerged and floating structures.
And eating into saturated soil under paved roads, too.
One of the most dramatic events was the wash-out of the main road into Grandpappy Point Resort and Marina in Denison, TX. There’s presently a big hole in Harbor Drive, about 20’ wide and 15’ deep, making it completely impassable.
KXII.com posted a video of their news story on the road damage, and it is truly unforgettable. Grayson County road crews have vowed to get the road repaired by next week, since the marina is literally stranded and accessible only by boat.
A big chunk of Highway 78, the road and the bridge over the Red River between Bonham, Texas and Yuba, Oklahoma also collapsed, closing the highway completely. This bridge damaged occurred before Sunday’s storm as the flood water was rising from heavy rain earlier in the week.
Two couples we know got phone calls with bad news, reports that their boats were damaged in their slips at another marina, because docks broke loose and lines securing their boats simply snapped. Boat owners in several marinas on Lake Texoma probably got similar phone calls on Sunday night.
Metal buildings situated on concrete blocks or floating piers now appear torn, as though they had a run-in with a giant can opener.
And Roosevelt Bridge was closed again due to Sunday’s storm, but it’s reported to be opening to traffic again today, after cleaning and repairs.
Lake Texoma is still going over the spillway, but apparently some boaters are getting numb to it, and have become oblivious to the great danger it represents. The Army Corps of Engineers posted a photo of a small power boat floating precariously close to the overflowing spillway, bringing attention to the fact that it is no time to be doing something that stupid just for a joy ride.
Flood waters and submerged structures are dangerous, folks. Please use common sense when you launch your boat on Lake Texoma now.
