Posted 8:48 am Monday, October 01, 2012
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Rain downs limbs, lines; East Texas state fair closes early
By KENNETH DEAN
kdean@tylerpaper.com
A saturating rain over East Texas caused huge trees to fall, flooded roadways — even causing one death — and shut down the East Texas State Fair for the last two days of the 2012 season.
kdean@tylerpaper.com
A saturating rain over East Texas caused huge trees to fall, flooded roadways — even causing one death — and shut down the East Texas State Fair for the last two days of the 2012 season.
KYTX Meteorologist Doc Deason said the Tyler area received almost five inches of rain and some areas in East Texas received upwards of seven inches during the two-day rain.
“We made a good dent in our rainfall totals, but we're still 3.32 inches below normal for this time of the year,” he said.
In Nacogdoches County, sheriff officials said a 35-year-old woman was swept away by flood waters early Sunday when the driver of the vehicle she was a passenger in attempted to cross a flooded section of road.
According to a press release, the body of Chanda Pipes of Martinsville was recovered several hours after emergency personnel was able to rescue the driver who was found clinging to a tree off of Farm-to-Market Road 95 south of Chireno. The vehicle, which was swept away by fast moving water, has not been recovered.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff officials said Ms. Pipes was the daughter of one of the sheriff department's employees.
The Park of East Texas President John Sykes said he made the call on Saturday and again on Sunday to shut down the East Texas State Fair.
Sykes nor Smith County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon, who has worked security at the fair for 25 years, could remember the fair being closed down for two days in a row.
Sykes said in 2005 Hurricane Rita forced the fair to shut down for one day due to high winds and then in 2009 a six inch rain event cost the fair to lose a day.
“This was a true soaker and the area needed it and it was a blessing, but not for the fair,” Sykes said.
Sykes said the fair saw 43,400 people in attendance on Friday and the midway broke a record on money brought in.
According to a press release, the body of Chanda Pipes of Martinsville was recovered several hours after emergency personnel was able to rescue the driver who was found clinging to a tree off of Farm-to-Market Road 95 south of Chireno. The vehicle, which was swept away by fast moving water, has not been recovered.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff officials said Ms. Pipes was the daughter of one of the sheriff department's employees.
The Park of East Texas President John Sykes said he made the call on Saturday and again on Sunday to shut down the East Texas State Fair.
Sykes nor Smith County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon, who has worked security at the fair for 25 years, could remember the fair being closed down for two days in a row.
Sykes said in 2005 Hurricane Rita forced the fair to shut down for one day due to high winds and then in 2009 a six inch rain event cost the fair to lose a day.
“This was a true soaker and the area needed it and it was a blessing, but not for the fair,” Sykes said.
Sykes said the fair saw 43,400 people in attendance on Friday and the midway broke a record on money brought in.
However, with the rain on Saturday, Sykes said he and the rest of the administration hoped Sunday would bring a rainbow or redeeming qualities.
“We expected Sunday to be a turnaround for us, but the weather didn't cooperate. We knew we would have huge crowds for our concert tonight, but it didn't stop raining and safety was the biggest reason in making the decision to shut it down,” he said.
Sykes said he held off in making the decision as they watched various outlets for the latest weather forecast.
“Am I disappointed sure, but did we do the right thing, certainly. The year will not be a bust and we are already working and planning next year,” he said.
Firefighters and emergency crews worked a slew of accidents across East Texas and Tyler firefighters worked several downed trees including one in the 400 block of Hudson Street.
“We expected Sunday to be a turnaround for us, but the weather didn't cooperate. We knew we would have huge crowds for our concert tonight, but it didn't stop raining and safety was the biggest reason in making the decision to shut it down,” he said.
Sykes said he held off in making the decision as they watched various outlets for the latest weather forecast.
“Am I disappointed sure, but did we do the right thing, certainly. The year will not be a bust and we are already working and planning next year,” he said.
Firefighters and emergency crews worked a slew of accidents across East Texas and Tyler firefighters worked several downed trees including one in the 400 block of Hudson Street.
East Texas man’s Ford Mustang was crushed under the heavy limbs of a tree damaged by wind and rain on Sunday.
The owner of a 2006 Mustang that was crushed under a huge Oak tree and two power poles said he heard the crash from inside the house.
While not wanting to be identified in the story the man said the crash sounded like “the death of a dream.”
Several thousand people were without electricity, but Oncor crews were working to restore the power.
Deason said a cold front later in the week could touch off a few showers, but he did expect the temperatures to be more fall like.
While not wanting to be identified in the story the man said the crash sounded like “the death of a dream.”
Several thousand people were without electricity, but Oncor crews were working to restore the power.
Deason said a cold front later in the week could touch off a few showers, but he did expect the temperatures to be more fall like.
