Flood in Taylor County, Texas

Excessive rainfall from heavy rains Friday night into Saturday morning across southwest Taylor County caused water to spill over the main spillway at Lake Abilene. This water flowed into Elm Creek and flooded several streets, homes, and businesses in the City of Abilene Sunday morning, prompting the Abilene Emergency Operations Center to call for a mandatory evacuation of the affected locations.

Excessive rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin caused flooding of many rivers, streams, and lakes across portions of the Texas Big Country. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 9 inches were reported, resulting in several road closures. Many streets, homes, and businesses were flooded in the town of Hamlin and around the city of Abilene, prompting emergency management to call for a mandatory evacuation of residents along Elm Creek. Many lakes flowed over their spillways, with the Oak Creek Reservoir and Lake Sweetwater rising 15 and 30 feet, respectively, within days of the heavy rainfall.