Among the regions in Texas bracing for severe storms on Thursday, Kaufman County found itself under a flood watch, eliciting concern among residents still reeling from recent flooding.
Jim Collinsworth, pastor of Becker Methodist Church, recounted the inundation their 134-year-old building endured just three weeks prior. Water seeped into the structure, reaching up to eight inches high, leaving behind visible silt and damage to the foundation.
Now facing extensive repairs, including replacing flooring and stabilizing the tilting foundation, Collinsworth acknowledged the challenges ahead for their relatively small congregation.
Alicia Hinkle, a resident displaced by flooding in October, shared her family’s ordeal of rushing to salvage belongings as water levels rapidly rose above waist height. Having endured two floods within six months, she expressed apprehension about rebuilding without changes to nearby reservoirs.
Kaufman County Emergency Management Director Steve Howie addressed concerns about dam operations, indicating that the property’s previous owner may have built in a flood easement without county approval, leaving residents unaware of the risks.
As the community grapples with ongoing challenges, Collinsworth emphasized the reliance on fundraisers to support the church’s restoration efforts, while Kaufman County anticipates meeting federal assistance criteria following recent storm damage assessments.
