Hurricane Watches issued for the Texas coast from Port Aransas to High Island, Texas
HOUSTON, TEXAS - September 20, 2020 - The Harris County Flood Control District is actively monitoring tropical storm Beta in the Gulf of Mexico. A slow moving, strong tropical storm or hurricane will likely impact the middle and upper Texas coast late this weekend and much of next week. Low lying roadways near the coast in southeast Harris County will likely flood at times of high tide starting early Sunday including portions of Seabrook, Shoreacres, Nassau Bay, El Lago, Taylor Lake Village, and Rio Villa. These elevated tides will last into the early and middle part of next week. Rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches will be possible over Harris County with higher totals just to the south. Given the uncertainty in the forecast track of Beta these totals could be increased or decreased, and it is too soon to know if or where any flooding might occur in Harris County.
“Now is the time to prepare for prolonged coastal flooding and potentially heavy rainfall. Significant beach erosion is likely with elevated tides and large wave action lasting for several days and coastal infrastructure could be damaged. The expected tides on Sunday will likely be 1.5-2.5 feet higher than those experienced with Laura,” said Jeff Lindner, Meteorologist, Harris County Flood Control District.
The Flood Control District encourages residents to create an account and sign up for rainfall and water level alerts at fwsalerts.org. FWS Alerts allow residents to customize the sensors they receive alerts from and choose to receive them via text, email, or both.
- HCFCD encourages residents to take the following precautions when heavy rainfall and potential flooding is expected:
- Make sure storm drains and culverts are clear from debris. Clogged drains and culverts can prevent water from traveling to the bayous and tributaries, causing street flooding, and possible house flooding, depending on the amount of rain we receive.
- In areas that normally experience flooding, move vehicles to driveways or in parking garages as the storm approaches.
- Move emergency supplies and valuables to a high, dry place in your residence.
- Never drive into high water. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Less than two feet of water can float and wash away a vehicle. Be especially cautious at underpasses and at night when water across roadways can be difficult to see.
- Refrain from discarding debris in areas bayous, streams and ditches. Debris should be put in trash bins and then brought inside into garages or backyards, away from drainage ditches and storm sewers.
- Monitor rainfall and creek and bayou levels at harriscountyfws.org.
- View the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management disaster preparedness resources at readyharris.org.
- Carry flood insurance. Residents should contact their insurance agent for more information about purchasing flood insurance, or visit the National Flood Insurance Program at fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or call 1-888-379-9531. Please keep in mind that new insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.