By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

After receiving heavy rain overnight Saturday, Ellis County crews are still busy fixing roads that were washed away.

According to reports, the area around Catharine received the most rain Saturday night and into Sunday morning with as much as 5.60 inches of rain reported in that area.

Ellis County Public Works Director Bill Ring said there are a number of roads that have been washed out or damaged by the rain and his department still is assessing the actual number of roads that need repaired.

He said that number continues to change as the water works its way downstream.

“I’ve got guys that have come in that are just out trying to blade roads, where they can, to get them out, or get them at least passable,” he said.

Ring said there were four crews working on the roads Sunday and 16 employees doing nothing but trying to get the roads in shape during the day Monday.

He said because of the amount of rain that came down in such a short period of time, “there’s not much you can do about that. That amount of water in that amount of time? That’s going to happen.”

Ring also encouraged people who do not have to travel in the affected areas to stay away, as crews attempt to make the roads safe for travel. He also reminded motorists that driving through water on the roadway, moving or standing still, can be dangerous.

If you come across damaged or washed out roads, Ring said to call the Public Works office during business hours at (785) 628-9455 or, after hours, call the non-emergency dispatch number at (785) 625-1011.