Polk County

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for several counties in the northern portion of the FOX 26 viewing area.

A continued mandatory evacuation of certain areas has resulted in Goodrich ISD canceling classes for Thursday, May 2.

A disaster declaration has been issued for 29 Texas counties by Texas Governor Greg Abbott following the severe weather and flooding that's affecting the state.

Cleveland ISD has announced they are closing all campuses and facilities on Wednesday, May 1.

In response to the recent flooding, the Texas Gulf Coast Red Cross has opened shelters in Polk and San Jacinto Counties.

Many residents seek alternate shelter, while some stay behind and brave the uncertainties of flooding impacts in the Goodrich area.

Goodrich ISD officials have announced classes will be canceled for Tuesday due to the mandatory evacuation in certain parts of Polk County.

In response to escalating concerns over rising water levels, County Judge Sydney Murphy has declared a mandatory evacuation for unincorporated regions of Polk County situated along the Trinity River and downstream from the Lake Livingston Dam.

Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy issued a voluntary evacuation order on Monday for low-lying unincorporated areas along the Trinity River and below the Lake Livingston Dam.

Authorities say Don Steven McDougal was a friend of the family who lived in a camper behind the house where Cunningham lived with her father, grandparents, and other family.

Chlamydia rates have nearly doubled since 2000, while the rate of gonorrhea went up by 50% over the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that syphilis rates are reaching levels last seen in the 1950s. But some regions of the U.S. are seeing higher rates than others.

The 11 year old whose body was found near the Trinity River Feb. 20 was laid to rest Saturday.

Hundreds of people attend a visitation for Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old who was found murdered in Livingston.

Livingston ISD named a scholarship after Audrii Cunningham in her honor after she was found dead in Trinity River on Tuesday.