The Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Operations team is actively monitoring rainfall trends, as well as measured rainfall amounts and water levels in bayous and creeks. Excessive rainfall and flash flood event has impacted Waller, Fort Bend and Harris Counties overnight. Rainfall amounts averaged five to six and a half inches in the last six hours from Jersey Village to Katy with a wider area of three to four inches from Kingwood to Sugar Land to Waller County. Widespread street flooding continues over large areas of western and northern Harris County into Waller and Fort Bend counties.
The Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Operations team is actively monitoring rainfall trends, as well as measured rainfall amounts and water levels in bayous and creeks. Excessive rainfall and flash flood event has impacted Waller, Fort Bend and Harris Counties overnight. Rainfall amounts averaged five to six and a half inches in the last six hours from Jersey Village to Katy with a wider area of three to four inches from Kingwood to Sugar Land to Waller County. Widespread street flooding continues over large areas of western and northern Harris County into Waller and Fort Bend counties.
The following is a list of area bayous currently being affected:
Out of bank conditions:
- Lower end of South Mayde Creek near Greenhouse nearing crest. Structure flooding is likely at these levels.
- White Oak Bayou at Heights Boulevard slightly out of banks and cresting.
- Halls Bayou at Airline Drive slightly out of banks and cresting.
- Greens Bayou at US 59 slightly out of banks with possible feeder road impacts.
Nearing Bank full:
- Brickhouse Gully and Costa Rica Road cresting and falling.
- Rummel Creek near Brittmoore Road cresting and falling.
- Briar Branch (tributary to Buffalo Bayou) at Campbell Road near crest.
- Mound Creek (tributary to Cypress Creek) few feet from top of bank nearing crest.
- Little Cypress Creek nearing top of bank at the upper end near Becker Road and rising.
- Live Oak Creek (tributary to Cypress Creek near Penick Road in Waller County) nearing top of bank and near crest.
- Horsepen Bayou (U106) crested and falling.
- Langham Creek nearing top of bank at the lower end near West Little York Road starting to crest.
- Bear Creek few feet from top of bank and starting to crest.
- Upper end Buffalo Bayou from Peek Road to US 90 few feet from top of bank and nearing crest.
- Halls Bayou near Airline Drive nearing bank full and rising.
- Keegans Bayou from headwaters of Rocky Valley Road to US 59 few feet from bank full and rising.
- Watching: Cypress Creek near upper end. Creek still has capacity, but will need to watch as all the water from Waller County drains out today.
A National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for Harris County until further notice. 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 mobile-friendly Harris County Flood Warning System website at www.harriscountyfws.org. The District’s Flood Operations 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. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter @HCFCD for live updates.
REMINDER: Do not drive or walk into high-water areas. For the next few hours residents from Jersey Village to Katy should remain in place and only travel if absolutely needed. If faced with flooding, STAY PUT wherever you are, unless your life is threatened or you are ordered to evacuate. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has disaster preparedness resources and the latest information about conditions in Harris County at www.readyharris.org.
Additional flood preparedness tips:
- 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website at fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or call 1-800-621-3362.
- 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 (msc.fema.gov), or refer to the Flood Control District website at www.harriscountyFEMT.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.