Disaster Declaration for Smith County Signed after Severe Weather

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker Monday signed a disaster declaration for areas affected by Saturday’s severe weather. Smith County “suffered widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from severe thunderstorms, tornadic activity, flash flooding, etc.,” the declaration states. More than 50 homes were damaged in the Lindale area, but no injuries were reported, Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson reported. She asked Judge Baker for the Disaster Declaration after Lindale Mayor Robert Nelson requested Smith County’s help in cleaning up the area.

Smith County Road and Bridge crews are helping with the cleanup, providing labor and equipment, such as dump trucks and chippers, County Engineer Frank Davis said. According to a county news release, those crews were also working throughout the county Monday to repair roads closed due to heavy rains. County Road 26 is closed to thru traffic, between Farm-to-Market Road 850 and CR 21 in the Chapel Hill area, due to a culvert washout. The road could be closed for one to two weeks, depending on the availability of pipe needed for the repairs. CR 235 is closed to thru traffic, between CR 26 and CR 234 in the Chapel Hill area. There is not yet a timeline for when this road will be repaired.

CR 424 is closed between Texas Highway 110 and FM 1995, near Van, due to a culvert washout. There is not yet a timeline for when it can be repaired. CR 448, near Sky Ranch, had high water over the road from a lake spillway. Repairs were being made Monday and Davis said crews expected the road to be opened back up to traffic soon. CR 445, between CR 442 and CR 450, west of Lindale, is also closed because it is unsafe for drivers. Davis said he hoped it would be reopened shorty.