Dam breaks, bridges fail as Texas town gets at least a foot of rain

Friday, May 14th 2004, 5:59 am

By: News On 6

HEARNE, Texas (AP) _ A dam broke, bridges failed and whole neighborhoods were swept over by floodwaters that rose from more than 12 inches of rain, forcing residents to flee this town along the Brazos River.

About 170 homes were damaged in Thursday's storms. Residents were rescued from treetops, homes and cars in at least six swift-water rescues in Robertson County.

Others headed for higher ground in small rescue boats, tractors and pickup trucks.

Despite the severity of the storms, no serious injuries or deaths were reported Thursday, though at least 10 people were hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries.

A flood watch remained in the area early Friday and more rain was predicted.

Meanwhile in Bryan, residents were recovering from what officials believe was a tornado.

Cathy Rios, 54, said all she could do is pray as her mobile home was tossed from side to side Thursday.

``I just kept screaming and screaming and screaming to God, `Help Me,''' Rios said. ``It was just awful. I don't know how I got out alive. I was just waiting for a tree to fall on me or the wind to blow me away.''

Officials say the small town of Hearne, about 90 miles northeast of Austin, was among the hardest hit. Crews are expected to survey the damaged areas Friday.

A downtown shelter at a church took in about 170 people. Some homes reported as much as 12 to 18 inches of water inside, but floodwaters had receded by late afternoon.

Jerry Henry, Robertson County emergency management coordinator, said an earthen dam on a small lake gave way, sending water through a nearby neighborhood. Calloway Lake emptied into creeks that flowed into to Hearne. The dam break caused 8 feet of water to flood a nearby road.

The storms developed in the San Antonio area early Thursday and moved north and east. By the time they hit the Houston area, they had weakened but heavy rains still delayed and canceled some flights at the city's airports.