Mandatory evacuation, curfew issued for parts of Brazoria County

MANDATORY EVACUATION:

Officials in Brazoria County have issued a mandatory evacuation issued for residents living in Bar X Ranch, Bailey's Prairie south of State Highway 35 and surrounding areas south of State Highway 35. There's also a mandatory evacuation order for the Longhorn Estates neighborhood and residents along County Road 28 in Angleton.

The Texas Department of Transportation says it has closed the southbound lanes of Highway 35 from Highway 288 to the Brazos River due to flooding.

The mandatory curfew in the area has been temporarily lifted so that residents can evacuate safely; it will be reinstated Sunday evening.

The water in Longhorn Estates continued to rise on Sunday morning, going up about an inch an hour. Emergency crews on scene said the water is up about 18 inches in the area.

Brazoria County OEM

Many residents that had evacuated, returned Sunday morning to take a look at the damage.

"About three to four inches in the house, more toward the backside of the house. It's probably knee-deep in the driveway to get in but everything's lifted. We prepared as best as we could," said Lorrie Griffin, a resident.

Homes are completely surrounded by water in the area. The Brazoria Office of Emergency Management says residents there and in the Holiday Lakes area. The water continued to rise in the Holiday Lakes area as well.

Emergency crews continued to close more roadways around the area as the waters continued to rise. Parts of Highway 523 were closed on Sunday morning.

While many left their homes others waited it out to see just how high the waters would rise.

"We got all our stuff out yesterday evening, last night, thanks to some good friends but I was kind of staying to see how deep it was going to get before I got out," said resident Cliff Fletcher.

Yesterday emergency crews rescued ten people in Brazoria County. 114 people evacuated. More evacuations are expected to take place again on Sunday.

There are two shelters in place in Brazoria County. One in Angleton is at capacity, the other one in Rosharon still has some room.

The Brazoria County Office of Emergency Management says it plans to open a third shelter. It has not said where that will be yet.

MANDATORY CURFEW:

Effective immediately, officials have issued a mandatory dusk-dawn curfew for areas of Brazoria County under an evacuation order.

During the curfew, citizens are forbidden from remaining on or traveling upon property -- public or private -- within the evacuation area unless the person owns or has been invited to the property.

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