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Heavy rain blankets area: Lavon reaches highest mark since June 2010
Kelsey Kruzich / Staff Photo: Heavy rains Monday and Tuesday left parts of Bob Woodruff Park under several feet of water.
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com
Thunderstorms dumped more than 4 inches of rain on many parts of North Texas on Monday and Tuesday, resulting in flooding and wind damage throughout the region. At the McKinney Airport, 4.66 inches of rain fell.
A gas station at the intersection of Independence and Spring Creek parkways had its awning blown off, and several Plano parks found themselves under several feet of water Tuesday morning. Heavy spring rainfall is not abnormal in North Texas, but this spring's rainfall was unexpected, said Jesse Moore, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Fort Worth office.
"We were expecting this winter to be warmer and drier than normal, but what we have gotten is warmer and wetter," he said. "It didn't work out the way we expected."
March is also setting up to have above average precipitation. So far, the 5 1/2 inches of rain which has fallen at DFW Airport this month, is 3 inches more than is typically received from March 1-21.
The rains came at a good time for Lake Lavon, which was only 47 percent full as recently as November 2011. As the primary reservoir for the North Texas Municipal Water District, low lake levels have caused cities served by the district to enact Stage 3 water restrictions, which will continue until June 1 when Stage 4 restrictions could be implemented.
The most recent rains caused Lavon to rise three feet, putting the lake only nine inches below capacity. Denise Hickey, the district's spokeswoman, said the lake is currently 97 percent full, a level it has not reached since June 2010. The lake has risen more than 10 feet since Jan. 1.
As far as what the future holds for North Texas, Moore said rain should continue to fall for the next several months.
"Obviously during the spring time we are going to have our storms since March through May is our wettest time of the year," he said. "For the spring, we are calling for above normal temperatures, but we think precipitation will be about normal."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Jack wrote on Mar 22, 2012 9:41 PM:
" This is an update. I checked this afternoon and the lake is at 100% full and is over flowing. "
richie1677 wrote on Mar 23, 2012 12:39 PM:
" The City of Allen has a scam going right now. They drive around in trucks with time, gas, driver, and truck usage paid by us so they can fine anyone unlucky enough not to turn off their weekly controlled water system. There is no way to program watering bi-monthly only weekly. They catch you and fine you between 500-2000 dollars. What a pain in the back end to have to manually set the sprinkler so it can water at the right date and right time of day. I wish I could move my house to another county and city! The comment above about a no growth plan is great. I pay a high tax and expense to live here so ease up on the water stage 3 Allen!!!!! " My friend in another city close to us cant believe we are at stage 3 and he is at stage 2. "
richie1677 wrote on Mar 23, 2012 9:16 PM:
" WHY is Allen still in Stage 3 water restrictions when all the cities/towns around us are at Stage 2 or less? We all get our water from the same source, so why are the citizens of Allen being persecuted? Also since the lake is up to 100% or more, why aren't Allen's water restrictions lowered - or DROPPED? I really would like to know why Allen is being more restrictive to it's citizens than neighboring towns on water conservation... "
Jack wrote on Mar 28, 2012 4:37 AM:
" Ritchie,
It's all about control and money.
We need a few lawsuits against the city for causing foundation damage to homes. Several folks about a block away have had foundation damage due to lack of watering.
It seems to me people should rethink before moving to Collin county. "
It's all about control and money.
We need a few lawsuits against the city for causing foundation damage to homes. Several folks about a block away have had foundation damage due to lack of watering.
It seems to me people should rethink before moving to Collin county. "
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It's time to remove all watering restrictions. The lake is 97% full! "