Press release
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office received 123 emergency calls and as many calls to its non-emergency number during the storms early Monday morning. Most of the calls were regarding high water, downed trees andor road damage. Calls were responded to by ETMC EMS, almost every law enforcement agency and fire department within the county as well as TDCJ. At least 12 vehicles were reported to have been flooded and stalled on various roadways throughout the county. Responders were able to safely evacuate and escort civilians from the stalled vehicles.
Seven vehicles, however, were completed washed from the roadways on or near CR 1500, FM 3441, FM 59 and FM 317, leaving 11 people in the water. People were located standing on cars or clinging to trees and debris. Rescue efforts were conducted by numerous fire departments and law enforcement agencies. The Payne Springs Volunteer Fire Department Swift Water Rescue team recovered seven people stranded in the rushing water. One male was killed as the result of his motorcycle being washed from FM 59. He was recovered downstream from FM 59 near CR 41512 following a search that lasted several hours.