By Bob Belcher
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana —
The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine have brought two bits of good news for the area — some much needed rain, and the lifting of the burn ban in effect in Navarro County.
Navarro County Commissioners voted Tuesday to lift the burn ban that had been in effect since July. County Judge H.M. Davenport Jr. said information from Eric Meyers Jr., the county’s emergency management coordinator, led to his suggestion to lift the ban, with ample rainfall expected in the area as the storm tracks through central Texas.
Estimates from the National Weather Service Tuesday indicated the western two-thirds of Navarro County could see between two and four inches of rain from Hermine’s remnants, while the eastern third of the county could see between one and two inches, Meyers said. Rains arrived in the county about 2 p.m. Wednesday, and forecasts include chances of showers and thunderstorms through the next few days.
“A lot of what we’re going to see is really going to depend on how that storm tracks and the speed it moves,” Meyers explained. Should the storm track further east or west than projected, rainfall amounts could increase or decrease, he said.
A Tornado Watch was issued for Navarro and surrounding counties through 8 p.m. Tuesday, and more storms are expected on Wednesday. Areas just to the east of Navarro County — directly in the path of the weakening tropical depression — are under a Flash Flood Watch, and could see rainfall of between three and six inches, with some isolated areas experiencing over six inches of rain, forecasters said Tuesday.
“The biggest thing obviously for us will be rainfall,” Meyers said. Those near the center of the storm’s remnants are seeing rainfall amounts of one to three inches per hour, Meyers said. The closer the center of the storm tracks to Navarro County, the more likely heavy rains are, he said. Should the storm not track closer to the county, less frequent “bands” of rain can be expected.
The overcast conditions and late afternoon rains in the area with the arrival of the storms did help keep temperatures from topping 90 degrees for the first time in several days. The high temperature for Tuesday recorded at C. David Campbell Field was 82 degrees.
Wednesday’s forecast is for a chance an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before 1 p.m., with heavy rain and wind gusts near 20 miles per hour possible.
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Bob Belcher may be reached by e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
