Staff Report
NewsWest 9
Wednesday, Sept. 24
12 p.m. - Pecos Mayor Venetta Seals just finished up a media briefing and gave some new updates on the flooding in Pecos.
We're told that the flooding has receded in Northern Pecos, although, the river is still full.
Crews are continuing to work to move debris and build berms to help redirect the water to Ward County.
Seals also said the river is expected to crest late Thursday night or early Friday morning.
No other evacuations are planned at this time.
County Road 2116 and Highway 302 remain closed in the area.
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Tuesday, Sept. 23
7:30 p.m. - Pecos Mayor Venetta Seals says that the river did not crest today and crews are working to move the debris in order to divert the water east away from town.
Seals says everything is looking better than expected.
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Tuesday, Sept. 23
11:33 a.m. - Officials tell NewsWest 9 that the flood waters increased by two feet overnight.
The event is being called the Pecos River Flooding Event of 2014.
Union Pacific is working to clear debris around the Barstow Bridge and the water flow at the bridge is a little better.
Numerous resources including DPS black hawks and boats are on standby and officials have laid sandbags around the sewer treatment plant.
We're told a number of secondary lines have been set up for workers whose families wish to get a hold of them can call (432) 448-3591.
Also, three to five people are waiting to be evacuated on County Road 232 but they do have food and water.
The American Red Cross-Permian Basin is reporting that they have provided 20 overnight shelter stays and more than 250 meals and snacks to people in need.
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Tuesday, Sept. 23
11:05 a.m. - A briefing is currently underway in Pecos where officials are giving the media and everyone the latest information about the situation in Pecos. We're told that the Pecos River is expected to crest in Pecos mid-day today.
NewsWest 9 is in Pecos covering the very latest and we'll continue to keep you up to date throughout the day on NewsWest9.com and our social media pages.
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Monday, Sept. 22
5:37 p.m. - NewsWest 9 has learned that an instant command center has been set up in the area and Homeland Security is also bringing in a tent. The Texas Forest Service will arrive in Pecos on Tuesday to help out.
Officials from the Midland area are also in Pecos assisting with the recovery effort, along with representatives of the National Weather Service and the Border Patrol.
We're told more state and federal agencies will be arriving in Pecos on Tuesday after the Pecos mayor and county judge have signed a disaster declaration for the area and sent it to Gov. Rick Perry for review.
NewsWest 9's Geena Martinez and Alicia Neaves are in Pecos and will have the very latest coming up on NewsWest 9 at 6 p.m.
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Monday, Sept. 22
2:13 p.m. - Mandatory evacuations have been issued around Red Bluff Lake.
Several roads have also been closed in the area.
Those include:
- 225 in Toyah
- 302 to Mentone
- 516 in Ward County
- 117 in Reeves County
- 2903 between Toyah and Balmorhea
- 3334 from 17 to 2903
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Monday, Sept. 22
1:00 p.m. - Officials from surrounding counties including Midland and Odessa are talking about how to clear all the debris along the Pecos River.
NewsWest 9's Alicia Neaves is in Pecos and will have more coming up tonight on NewsWest 9 at 6 p.m.
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Monday, Sept. 22
4:30 a.m. - We've been told that the rain began to fall in Pecos around 11 p.m. last night. A daily planning meeting will be held at the Pecos Fire Department today. At this time, there are seven people at the shelter in place at the PHS New Gym. Evacuations are still voluntary and they are still monitoring the river.
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Sunday, Sept. 21
9:00 p.m. - We're told the Barstow bridge will be closed for the night.
