Back to most recent news releases • Browse archive: 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • Email this story

CWS situation report: Texas flooding

June 20, 2007

From the suburbs just north of Dallas to the Oklahoma border, hundreds of Texas residents were forced to seek help from their rooftops as floodwaters from a Pacific-born rainstorm rose over their front doors. Swiftly-moving water swept drivers away in cars and washed at least three mobile homes away from their foundations. Five people have died.

Damage appears most concentrated around the north Texas town of Gainesville, where initial estimates indicate $18 million in damage to 300 homes and $9 million to 75 businesses. At least two temporary shelters, including a United Methodist Church, housed families who could not find a place to stay with relatives or friends. There was an initial community meeting at the Gainsville Chamber of Conference on Tuesday night. The Ministers Alliance is a part of that effort. Reports from pastors indicate that many families are staying at home in Gainesville and trying to cleanup the damage. Volunteers are being invited for weekend work and initial information is that those interested may contact Scott Flowerday at (940) 686-2798 or Rev. Jerry Elliott at First Assembly of God ( 940) 665-6720.

In Grayson County, an estimated 20 homes, 60-70 apartments, and 25-35 businesses were affected. Thirteen homes in Tarrant County and five in Lampasas County were also destroyed.

The National Weather Service reported an inch of rain fell every 15 minutes in some parts of the storm system, and more thunderstorms are forecast for today. The Dallas Morning News calls the flooding the worst in north Texas in 150 years.

VULNERABLE COMMUNITY WATCH: In addition to concerns about the state’s large population of Mexican immigrants, around 100 mobile homes were flooded or washed away from their foundations in Haltom City, Tex. "Mobile homes floated away like boats," said Haltom City Deputy Fire Chief Fred Napp told the Dallas Morning News.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is warning against looting in affected communities. In addition to evacuating hundreds from their homes, rescue crews faced the added challenge of helping hundreds of nursing home residents in the community of Sherman, Tex., many of whom were unable to walk.

Texas' agricultural community also appears hard hit, with 75 percent of the north Texas area’s crops destroyed by the floods.

CWS RESPONSE: As the weather system is still evolving, Church World Service is monitoring the situation to determine how best to assist its member denominations and marginalized communities.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

Back to most recent news releases • Browse archive: 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • Email this story