Henderson County Texas

The Henderson County Commissioners Court met in regular session today. You can watch the meeting here.

July 2, 2024 - Henderson County Commissioners Court

There are some important resources and deadlines coming up for community support following the severe weather in late May and Early June.

-- Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply online at Unemployment Benefit Services or call Texas Workforce Commission at 800-939-6631 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Deadline is July 16.

-- Disaster Legal Assistance: Call the Texas State Bar Legal Hotline at 800-504-7030 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phones are answered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

-- Crisis Counseling: Call the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-985-5990; for Spanish, press "2").

Congratulations!

This morning Sheriff Hillhouse had the honor of swearing in four dedicated Detention Officers as Deputy Sheriff’s. They have been attending the Tyler Junior College Police Academy and recently graduated and passed the State exam to become a certified Peace Officers in the State of Texas. Sheriff Hillhouse is very excited to see what their futures hold in the profession of law enforcement. They also brought home both Valedictorian and Top Gun to Henderson County! Help us congratulate each of them! Sgt. Braden Rich – Top Gun, Colby Rush – Valedictorian, Jose Garcia, and Blake Forney.

Henderson County Commissioners Court met in regular session Tuesday morning. You can watch the meeting here.

June 18, 2024 - Henderson County Commissioners Court

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sponsored a Flag Day ceremony on the Courthouse lawn Friday, June 14.

Bill Sekel from SAR read the resolution passed by the Commissioners Court, declaring June 14 as Flag Day in Henderson County. County Judge Wade McKinney was on hand to give closing remarks, joined by Brent Williams and the Henderson County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard.

Flag Day, celebrated annually on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. This day honors the symbol of our nation and the values it represents, reminding us of the sacrifices made for our freedom. The DAR and SAR continue this tradition, promoting patriotism and preserving American history.

FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Henderson County June 11 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds April 26-June 5.

June is Elder Abuse Prevention Month in Texas, and Henderson County is taking a stand to support this important cause. Elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation are serious issues affecting our elderly population. In 2023, the Department of Family & Protective Services reported 120,069 cases statewide, with 36,516 confirmed instances of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Here in Henderson County, our Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworkers conducted 643 investigations and confirmed 451 cases.

To show our commitment, the Henderson County Commissioners Court on Tuesday proclaimed June 2024 as Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. This proclamation not only acknowledges the invaluable contributions of our elderly and disabled residents but also emphasizes the urgent need to protect their health, safety, and rights.

Elder abuse is often underreported due to fear and shame, making community awareness and intervention crucial. It affects individuals across all income levels, cultures, and backgrounds, whether they live in urban areas or rural communities. Many cases involve self-neglect, highlighting our duty as citizens to support those in need.

We urge all residents of Henderson County to join us in working together to reduce and prevent the abuse and neglect of our elderly and disabled community members. By raising awareness and offering support, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.

Pictured with Commissioners Court are (from left) Erika Aguilar Cruz, Lori Plunkett, Roxanne Lewis, Sonya Williams, Shelly Shaw, and Kelli Garza. All are local investigators for Adult Protective Services.

Flash flooding is possible with heavy rains. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around.

Never walk, swim, or drive through still or moving floodwaters. The water may be hiding dangers such as debris, tree branches, power lines, or damage to the road. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can cause motorists to lose control of their vehicle, even a pickup truck or SUV.

Remember, "Turn Around, Don't Drown."

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) encourages citizens to report storm damage to property by submitting a damage assessment survey. Recent storms caused severe damage in Henderson County.

Texans can report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. The information provided in the survey aids emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that have occurred and help officials determine if the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource needs.

“By providing details through the iSTAT damage survey, Texans can notify emergency management officials about the extent of damage sustained during this severe weather event,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Texans are encouraged to assist the damage assessment process by uploading photos and including important details about any losses.”

The iSTAT damage survey can be filled out in English and Spanish online by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov.

Henderson County Commissioners Court met in regular session today. You can watch the meeting here.

June 4, 2024 - Henderson County Commissioners Court

A cluster of storms is expected to move across East Texas this morning, and again tonight into Wednesday morning. Some storms could become severe with damaging winds and flooding the main threats. There is also a lesser threat for large hail. Make sure to stay weather aware today and tomorrow and have multiple ways to receive warnings.

Henderson County is under a flash flood warning until 11:30 p.m.

If you encounter a flooded road, turn around.

Never walk, swim, or drive through still or moving floodwaters. The water may be hiding dangers such as debris, tree branches, power lines, or damage to the road. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can cause motorists to lose control of their vehicle, even a pickup truck or SUV.

Remember, "Turn Around, Don't Drown."

Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 8:15 p.m.

Friday morning, Henderson County Commissioners extended the Declaration of Local State of Disaster issued by County Judge Wade McKinney following a tornado touching down near Coffee City.

The Disaster Declaration will stay in effect for 30 days unless extended by Commissioners Court. Disaster declarations of this type help the county become eligible for help from state agencies.

A survey team from the National Weather Service Shreveport office surveyed the damage in extreme Southeast Henderson County in and near Coffee City and determined that a strong EF1 tornado touched down at the Lake Palestine Resort, which moved through the Briarwood Bay subdivision in Southeast Henderson County. As it crossed the lake as a waterspout, the tornado appeared to have narrowed and weakened as it came ashore into Dogwood City just west of Highway 155 in extreme Southwest Smith County before lifting shortly prior to reaching Emerald Bay.

That event was followed by more storms over the weekend and Memorial Day holiday.

According to the declaration, the County has suffered "widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of property resulting from the severe weather."

Additionally, Henderson County is included in the State disaster proclamation due to the severe storms and flooding.

Forecast from the National Weather Service.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 pm.

The National Weather Service is predicting possible severe weather in Henderson County this Thursday and Friday. Please take necessary precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones.

**Preparation Tips:**
- Stay informed by monitoring local weather updates.
- Secure outdoor items that could be blown away by strong winds.
- Have an emergency kit ready, including water, food, medications, and essential documents.
- Plan for potential power outages by having flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio.
- Know your safe place in case of a tornado or severe storm.

Powerful storms ripped through Henderson County in the past week leaving a trail of damage in every precinct. In the face of this adversity, our community came together with resilience and determination.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who worked long hours under challenging conditions. This includes the Sheriff's Office, the Emergency Management Office, and specifically Shane and Mae Renberg, along with county precinct workers. Your dedication is deeply appreciated.

A special thank you to the volunteer fire departments, first responders, and Brownsboro ISD for their assistance following the Coffee City tornado. We also acknowledge Oncor and Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative for their efforts in restoring power and ensuring safety.

To all the volunteers who helped clear streets and supported residents affected by the storms, your generosity and hard work did not go unnoticed. While we can't name everyone individually, please know that your contributions were important and greatly appreciated.

Thank you for embodying the spirit of Henderson County. Together, we will continue to rebuild and support one another.

Sincerely,
Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney

Because of the severe weather events the last few days and the storms expected tonight through Thursday, power outages may last for extended periods. The ongoing storms are delaying repair efforts. Henderson County officials urge everyone to reach out to family members, especially the elderly, who may be without power, and continue to check on them during the outages and storms.

Crews are working to restore power, starting with large circuit-level outages and then moving to smaller ones. As a result, neighboring streets may experience different restoration times due to the nature of the storm damage.

Stay safe and stay informed. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

Today is Election Day for the Republican Primary Runoff Election. The following polling places are open until 7 p.m.

-- Seven Points City Hall 428 East Cedar Creek Parkway – Seven Points

-- Malakoff ISD Learning Center – 110 Jackson Street – Malakoff

-- Trinidad Community Center – 111 E. Front Street – Trinidad

-- Beacon Church of Christ – Directly Behind City Hall – 146 Harbor Point Road – Gun Barrel City

-- Payne Spring Fire Station – 12650 TX 198 – Gun Barrel City

-- Eustace ISD Gym Lobby – 318 FM 316 South – Eustace

-- The Help Center Legacy Center – 813 North Palestine Street - Athens

-- Faith Baptist Church – 13567 TX-31 – Brownsboro

-- First Methodist Church – Heritage Hall One Block North of Hwy 31 – 501 North Second St. Chandler

-- St. Edwards Education and Ministry Center – 1310 South Palestine Street – Athens

-- Coffee City Community Center – 7019 Pleasant Ridge Dr. – Coffee City

-- Henderson Co. Larue Complex – Entrance on Side of Building – 9551 County Road 4719 – Larue

Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 8:30 a.m.

National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning through 8:15 a.m.

The NWS has issued a Tornado Warning until 7:30 a.m. that includes parts of Henderson County.

Henderson County Offices Closed Today

Henderson County government offices are closed today, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. This is a special time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served our country.

We hope you enjoy a peaceful and reflective day with your loved ones and wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

From the City of Log Cabin.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) encourages citizens to report storm damage to property by submitting a damage assessment survey. This week's storms caused severe damage in Henderson County.

Texans can report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. The information provided in the survey aids emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that have occurred and help officials determine if the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource needs.

“By providing details through the iSTAT damage survey, Texans can notify emergency management officials about the extent of damage sustained during this severe weather event,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Texans are encouraged to assist the damage assessment process by uploading photos and including important details about any losses.”

The iSTAT damage survey can be filled out in English and Spanish online by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov.

A survey team from the National Weather Service Shreveport office surveyed the damage in extreme Southeast Henderson County in and near Coffee City on Friday, and determined that a strong EF1 tornado touched down at the Lake Palestine Resort, which moved through the Briarwood Bay subdivision in Southeast Henderson County. As it crossed the lake as a waterspout, the tornado appeared to have narrowed and weakened as it came ashore into Dogwood City just west of Highway 155 in extreme Southwest Smith County before lifting shortly prior to reaching Emerald Bay.

It appeared that the storm then transitioned into a damaging straight line wind event across Southern Smith County, where multiple trees were downed across the Emerald Bay, Teaselville, and areas north of Bullard.

Flash flooding is possible with the heavy rains we have experienced. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around.

Never walk, swim, or drive through still or moving floodwaters. The water may be hiding dangers such as debris, tree branches, power lines, or damage to the road. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can cause motorists to lose control of their vehicle, even a pickup truck or SUV.

Remember, "Turn Around, Don't Drown."