The Sabine River remains in the major flooding stage, but certain areas could move into moderate flooding as water levels continue to drop, officials said Tuesday.

Roger Erickson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles, said the Sabine River gauge at Deweyville, Texas, could reach moderate flooding by Thursday. That area includes the Starks region.

The Sabine will remain in major flooding stage around Interstate 10 and farther south into Western Sabine Lake until Saturday, Erickson said. The river’s gauge at Orange, Texas, read 7.4 feet as of Tuesday afternoon, above the major flooding stage of 6 feet.

“The good news is the water is not over the interstate anymore,” he said.

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Harvey, combined with floodgates opening at the Toledo Bend Reservoir, caused the Sabine River to crest at over 31 feet near Deweyville on Friday. Major flooding occurs at 28 feet.

Erickson said the gauge at the Calcasieu River near Old Town Bay read 9.2 feet as of Tuesday afternoon, above the 8-foot major flooding stage. He said the level should fall to moderate flooding by Thursday.

The gauge for the Calcasieu River at Sam Houston Jones State Park read 6.5 feet on Tuesday, or minor flooding.

Erickson said the cool front making its way into the area today is not expected to bring any rain, so the river levels should drop as predicted. 

Hurricane Irma

Forecasters are keeping an eye on Hurricane Irma, which reached Category 5 strength Tuesday. The storm is expected to threaten Florida and Cuba, but Erickson said the big question remains when it will shift to the north.

“I don’t think it’ll be a threat to our region in this stage of the game,” he said. “We will keep monitoring it to see if there are any significant changes in the forecast track.”

With the Atlantic hurricane season lasting until Nov. 30, he said, residents should have a plan in place.

“Don’t put your guard down yet,” Erickson said.

Online: water.weather.gov.