ORANGE, Texas — Interstate 10 was closed at mile marker 4 Tuesday afternoon in preparedness for the rising waters of the Sabine River. By mid-afternoon the water was four inches above the edge of the pavement and about five inches from the travel lane on the Louisiana-Texas border.

Kenneth Wiemers with the Texas Department of Transportation and Development spent his Tuesday monitoring the Sabine River water level.

“In my lifetime, I have never seen the river like this,” he said. “Interstate 10 did get impacted by Hurricane Ike in the fall of 2008” but not like this.

Dick Gremillion, director of the Calcasieu Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, spent part of Tuesday surveying the flooding impact on the Louisiana side of the border from a base set up in Vinton. He said the flooding area was basically the same areas that had a mandatory evacuation in effect, essentially the area of the parish west of La. 109.

“There are still several days to go of this flood,” Gremillion said.

The Sabine River is cresting, though, he added, saying it will take a number of days for the waters to go down.

“The rain shouldn’t affect us too much,” he said.

Gremillion said the coming rain forecasts call for about an inch to an inch and a half.

Gremillion said he is still seeing people trickling out in the evacuation for a number of reasons, including the loss of power.

For those still along the Sabine River, he said they need to call for help when they need it.

Call 911 or the Office of Emergency Preparedness at 721-3800, he said.

Gremillion advised residents along the Calcasieu River to “pay attention” to the flooding reports. He added that Moss Bluff is not expected to flood.

“This river level should not cause any flooding outside the immediate area,” he said.

Businesses in the area are already feeling the economic impact of the flood.

“Business has declined drastically since around 8:30 a.m.,” said Denice Courmier, a cashier at Bordertown gas station in Vinton. “I have friends and family in Starks, Vinton and Toomey whose houses are flooded. I feel so sorry for them.

“Some employees haven’t been to work in a couple of days because they live out by Niblett’s Bluff,” she said. “It’s just sad.”

The Louisiana welcome signs stands in several feet of water tuesday. Flooding over Interstate 10 near the Texas-Louisiana border caused the closure of the interstate. (Rick Hickman / American Press)

Rick Hickman