Madison County community deals with flood damage as severe weather continues
MADISON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – Continuous flooding has closed roads and schools across the Brazos Valley, but community members in Madison County are doing what they can to manage the severe weather.
Madisonville schools closed Thursday and Friday due to safety concerns. However, the ag building at Madisonville High School was buzzing with student activity Friday, braving the elements to finish big projects.
While most students in the district had a day off, Agricultural Science teacher Danny Foster said his students were begging to come to school.
On Saturday, his students will compete in an ag mechanic competition, and can’t afford to lose another day of work.
Foster, with permission from school administration, made sure his students didn’t have to cross flooded roads to get to campus.
With classes currently set to resume Monday in Madisonville, he still worries about their safety.
“You’ve got some roads that are probably washed out, culverts washed out leading into students’ homes, and things like that that I’ve heard of. That’s affecting them as far as them being able to get out,” Foster said.
The effects extend to SonShine Outreach Center, the lone food pantry serving Madison County and its surrounding areas.
Road closures caused by flooding have led to a drop in donations for the food pantry.
Floor supervisor Ethel Burns said the unsafe road conditions aren’t just preventing people from dropping off donations, they’ve even seen a decline in visitors.
According to Burns, the store fills up with people shopping in their thrift store and those in need of food when the rain slows down.
However, she knows the flooding is preventing some residents from accessing their services entirely.
“It has impacted some of the pathways for people to go to work,” Burns said, “And today, with the flood coming again, we’ve been having a little slow business.”
SonShine Outreach Center remained open through the severe weather and is ready to help anyone in need of their services.
