Sudden summer storm may bring more precipitation later

Hopkins County residents experienced a sudden downpour of rain in the middle of a dry spell on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service, and rain is still on Wednesday. 

The NWS predicts a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms, mainly before 4 p.m. with a high near 85 and otherwise cloudy skies. Tonight is partly cloudy, with a low around 73.  

Thursday has a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. In the morning, skies are mostly sunny with a high around 93 with heat index values near 100. 

City manager Marc Maxwell reported “nothing besides the ordinary” flooding on streets and drainage in the city of Sulphur Springs on Tuesday. 

Reports from Delta County Courthouse employee Grace Crabb showed flooding had occurred at and around the courthouse, with water in the parking lot, hallways, district courtroom and commissioner’s court. 

According to TxDOT, motorists should check weather forecasts before driving and never attempt to drive through swift-moving water. 

Starting on August 20, the United States Drought Monitor had previously ranked Hopkins County as being in a moderate drought. A moderate drought is defined as some damage to crops and pastures, with streams, reservoirs and wells low and water shortages developing or imminent. All counties surrounding Hopkins only showed abnormal dryness, which is less than moderate drought.