Brooks County, TX (KRGV) — The Texas Department of Transportation confirmed a clogged culvert caused flooding on I.S. Highway 281 over the weekend.

Crews from the Corpus Christi District cleared the clog, which caused a temporary closure of the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 281 north of Falfurrias.

Highway 281 serves as an evacuation route for the Rio Grande Valley.

The recent closure raised questions about how the roadway will function during an emergency. TxDOT said planning is key.

“When there is an incoming storm from the Gulf, that's why it's all the more important to heed warnings early,” TxDOT spokesman Ray Pedraza said. “If there is a mandatory evacuation, it's important that we do so with plenty of time to clear out of harm's way.”

Pedraza also reminded people about the alternative routes running east and west. Maps of the different evacuation routes are available online at the TxDOT website and the TxDOT app.