The Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Watch team continues to monitor rainfall trends, as well as measured rainfall amounts and water levels in bayous and creeks. Stormwater levels in most bayous continue to fall with a midday break in the rain, following widespread rain totals of between 2-7 inches over the last 12 hours across all but far southeast Harris County.
The Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Watch team continues to monitor rainfall trends, as well as measured rainfall amounts and water levels in bayous and creeks. Stormwater levels in most bayous continue to fall with a midday break in the rain, following widespread rain totals of between 2-7 inches over the last 12 hours across all but far southeast Harris County.
Watersheds in the northwest portion of Harris County continue to slowly rise as upstream run-off arrives into upper Spring Creek and upper Cypress Creek from outside Harris County.
It will take some time for roadways to drain due to the large volumes of water that must still move through the underground drainage system, and some underpasses will remain flooded into the afternoon. Additional rainfall will slow this process.
- Brays Bayou and Keegans Bayou are within banks, have crested and are falling at all gage locations.
- Hunting Bayou is near top of bank at Lockwood Drive, with street flooding, but beginning to slowly fall across the entire watershed.
- Upper Spring Creek is overbanks at Hegar Road and rising slowly, with main impacts to low-lying roads crossing the creek.
- Upper Cypress Creek is within banks, but rising slowly; no flooding expected.
- Little Cypress Creek is at bankfull level near Becker Road and rising slowly, in banks along the rest of the channel.
- Greens Bayou has crested and is beginning to fall.
- Buffalo Bayou has crested and is slowly receding.
- White Oak Bayou has crested and is receding at all locations.
- South Mayde Creek has crested and is falling.
- Far southeast Harris County saw relatively little to no rain.
A late morning break in the rainfall is expected to be followed this afternoon by an additional round of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms approaching from the west.
A National Weather Service Flood Warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m. for Harris, Fort Bend and Wharton counties. With heavy rainfall comes the threat of flooding, so it is important for Harris County residents to be aware of conditions near their workplaces, schools and homes. The Flood Control District urges all residents to monitor rainfall and bayou water levels on its Harris County Regional Flood Warning System website at www.harriscountyfws.org, which includes a mobile application. The District’s Flood Watch team constantly monitors the data and works during severe weather events to advise the public and local officials of areas that are and could be affected by flooding.
REMINDER: Do not drive or walk into high-water areas. If faced with flooding, STAY PUT wherever you are, unless your life is threatened or you are ordered to evacuate.
Be sure to check out the Flooding Facts and Preparedness link on our website with helpful, printable resources, including a guide on how to create and implement a FAMILY FLOOD PREPAREDNESS PLAN. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management also has disaster preparedness resources at www.readyharris.org.
Additional flood preparedness tips:
- Secure valuables and important documents.
- Avoid driving, if possible. If you must venture out, avoid driving into water of unknown depth. Moving water can quickly sweep you and your vehicle away.
- Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
- Remain in your home during the storm unless instructed to evacuate by local officials.
- Have a flood insurance policy. For information on flood insurance, visit the National Flood Insurance Program website at http://www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.
- Know your home’s risk of flooding. You can view a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM or floodplain map) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Map Service Center (http://www.msc.fema.gov), or refer to the Flood Control District website at http://www.hcfcd.org.
About the Harris County Flood Control District
The Harris County Flood Control District provides flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values. With more than 1,500 bayous and creeks totaling approximately 2,500 miles in length, the Flood Control District accomplishes its mission by devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans and maintaining the infrastructure.