AMARILLO, TX — Flooding and heavy rain are creating widespread travel problems across the Texas Panhandle, with multiple highways and county roads already closed and more wet weather expected through midweek.
Officials in Texas and nearby eastern New Mexico are warning drivers to avoid standing water, obey barricades and check road conditions before traveling. In Clovis, city leaders are preparing for more rain after last week’s storms left the ground saturated and several drainage areas already full.
The National Weather Service has issued flood watches for several areas, and local law enforcement agencies say additional road closures remain possible as rain continues.
TxDOT closes Highway 207 and alerts drivers in Armstrong County
The Texas Department of Transportation said State Highway 207 is closed in both directions from Interstate 40 to U.S. 287 because water is over the roadway. TxDOT urged people to stay off the roads if they can.
In Armstrong County, Sheriff Melissa Anderson said the flood watch is proving justified. She said U.S. 287 through Claude is flooded and most county roads are impassable at this time.
Anderson also warned drivers to watch for flooded lanes and other vehicles if travel is unavoidable. County officials have not given a timeline for reopening the roads, saying conditions depend on how quickly water recedes.
Castro and Potter-Randall counties report additional closures
Other parts of the Panhandle are dealing with their own closures. The Castro County Sheriff’s Office said TxDOT closed Farm to Market Road 1057 north of FM 2397 and south of U.S. Highway 60 near Summerfield.
The sheriff’s office said that road will stay closed until water levels drop. In the Potter and Randall county area, officials also reported flooding near 45th and Hillside and near Interstate 40 and Western in Amarillo.
Those closures add to a growing list of trouble spots across the region, where some roads are underwater and others are being monitored for worsening conditions if the rain intensifies.
Parmer County warns that more roads may go under water
Parmer County authorities said several roads in Precinct 3 are already closed and not passable. Those closures include County Road 5 from County Road T to County Road R and State Line Road from County Road Q to County Road S.
The sheriff’s office said other roads could remain underwater for several days, leaving the county vulnerable to more disruptions if additional rainfall arrives. Officials also said more closures are possible this week.
Residents were directed to check current road conditions through drivetexas.org before heading out. The warning reflects a broader concern across the Panhandle, where runoff is continuing to affect roads well after the rain falls.
Clovis braces for another round after last week’s storms
In Clovis, Police Chief Trevor Thron urged drivers not to go around barricades or attempt to cross flooded streets while a flood watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service forecasts 1 to 2.5 inches of rain in the area Tuesday, with much of it expected between 3 p.m. and midnight.
Thron said last week’s rainfall left the ground saturated and many playa lakes at capacity. Clovis Public Works crews are preparing to barricade streets known to flood if conditions require it.
He said more than 40 vehicles were disabled in high water during storms last week, adding strain to police, fire and emergency crews.
Schools shift online and public agencies give emergency guidance
Because of the flood risk and hazardous road conditions, Clovis Municipal Schools will move to virtual or remote instruction Wednesday. City officials said residents who need help can contact Clovis police dispatch at 575-769-1921, and emergencies should still be reported by calling 911.
Portales is also under a flood watch until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service says the area could receive 1.5 to 3 inches of rain, and the city warned that saturated soil can no longer absorb much additional water.
Officials in Portales advised drivers to use extra caution after dark, when standing or flowing water is harder to see. The city summed up the message simply: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
