ROTAN, Texas — Mother Nature apparently heard there was a golf championship scheduled this weekend and decided the course didn't have nearly enough water hazards.
By Thursday afternoon, Oct. 15, Rotan had received more than 3 inches of rain, FM 611 west of town had been closed by high water, and portions of the golf course and Little League fields looked considerably more like lakes than recreational facilities.
According to the National Weather Service's West Texas Mesonet summary issued Thursday, the Rotan monitoring station recorded 3.25 inches of precipitation during the preceding 24 hours as of 2:25 p.m. Rain was still being reported at the time, meaning the measurement was not necessarily the storm's final total.
And judging by the scenery, the ground had officially stopped accepting deposits.
FM 611 makes another appearance on the flood report
High water caution on FM 611 west of Rotan, a familiar trouble spot whenever heavy rain moves through the area.
The flooding even brought an Abilene television news crew to town. KTXS reporter Kayla Hamlett traveled to Rotan Thursday to document the conditions.
Of course, longtime residents know that particular stretch of roadway has put on considerably bigger shows before.
Around here, water over FM 611 after a heavy rain isn't exactly a new development. It's practically a recurring character in the local weather report.
The National Weather Service identified low-water crossings on FM 611 approximately one mile and seven miles west of Rotan among the locations of concern in a Thursday afternoon flood advisory covering Fisher, Nolan and portions of Jones counties.
From ballfields to waterfront property
But while the road flooding was familiar, the scenes at the golf course and Little League fields were another story.
Large areas of the recreational grounds were covered in standing water, creating a landscape that the Chronicle's publisher said she could not recall personally witnessing there before.
One good West Texas soaking and suddenly Rotan had waterfront recreational property.
Unfortunately, nobody had ordered the lake.
The flooding was particularly noticeable around the golf course, where the timing couldn't have been much more inconvenient.
Golf championship or extreme golf?
With a golf championship scheduled for this weekend, one rather important question remains:
Will the course be ready for competition, or are we witnessing the birth of Extreme Golf: Rotan Edition?
The usual advice about avoiding water hazards may require some reconsideration when the water hazard appears to be most of the course.
As of Thursday evening, the Chronicle had not verified an announcement confirming whether the championship would proceed, be postponed or be canceled.
For now, the question of whether golfers will need golf shoes, rubber boots or flotation devices remains unanswered.
Assistant Editor conducts an unofficial depth investigation
While the Abilene television crew was documenting roadway flooding, DMC Assistant Editor Everleigh Hurt decided the unusual conditions at the recreational grounds deserved a little independent investigation.
Specifically, she wanted to know just how deep the standing water had become.
Her chosen measuring equipment was somewhat unconventional: two legs, a jacket and apparently very little concern about getting wet.
The resulting field report was thorough enough for newsroom purposes.
Water depth: Definitely more than a puddle.
Water temperature: Surprisingly comfortable.
Wind conditions: Considerably chillier than the water.
The photographs from her investigation provide another look at just how much rainwater had accumulated across the grounds.
Further field testing was deemed unnecessary.
How much rain fell at your place?
Although the West Texas Mesonet recorded 3.25 inches in the Rotan area by Thursday afternoon, rainfall amounts can vary significantly across Fisher and Stonewall counties.
The Double Mountain Chronicle is asking residents of Rotan, Roby, Aspermont and surrounding communities to share their own rain gauge totals and photographs from the storm.
Did your pasture become a pond? Did your driveway develop waterfront access? Did the creek behind your property decide to make an appearance?
Share your photographs in the comments on the DMC's Facebook coverage, along with the location where they were taken.
A reminder for motorists: Flooded roads and low-water crossings can be dangerous even when the water appears shallow. Never drive around barricades or attempt to cross flooded roadways. Check current road conditions before traveling.
We asked for rain. We just didn't realize it came with lakefront development opportunities.
National Weather Service — October 15 West Texas Mesonet rainfall report, showing 3.25 inches at Rotan by 2:25 p.m.
- KTXS: Flooding in Rotan makes some roads impassable — Published October 15.
- Rotan Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page — Check for newer local roadway announcements.
- TxDOT DriveTexas — Current state highway travel conditions.