Rain fells dry, brittle trees creating weekend hazards in Longview

Longview, TX — A slow, steady rain that brought nearly four inches of precipitation to the Longview area this weekend drew attention to a danger left over from two years of drought.

Rainfall resulting from a low pressure system moved into the area Saturday morning and stayed all weekend. By Sunday afternoon, Longview had received 3 inches of rainfall — enough to saturate brittle trees and limbs.

While the soaking raised rainfall amounts to near normal levels, the added moisture caused several trees to snap and crash to the ground — on powerlines, in the street or both.

“We are concerned with the combination of rain soaking into dried-out wood, wood dry from the drought,” Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, said.

Read more [1] from the Longview News-Journal.