Disaster Declared in Houston for Expected Flooding

(TNS) – The East fork of the San Jacinto River is predicted to rise between 10 and 15 feet from its current level on Tuesday at FM 1485 and FM 2090, Harris County Flood Control District officials say.

The projected increase in levels Tuesday evening may lead to “widespread and significant inundation by Wednesday morning” in southeast Montgomery County and northeast Harris County, according to a district press release.

The flood threat prompted Harris County officials to issue a voluntary call for evacuation late Tuesday.

Water in northeast Harris County around FM 1485 could rise one to two feet per hour going into the evening and is expected to peak around sunrise Wednesday, meteorologist at Harris County Flood Control District Jeff Lindner said.

“Where it is dry right now you could have one or two or three feet of water in an hour or two,” he said. “Since this is going to happen at night, you have to have that heightened level of awareness of not being able to see the water, potentially while you are driving.”

The area may experience flooding reminiscent of Tropical Storm Imelda in 2019.

The water levels rose earlier Tuesday, moving downstream towards the ” Plum Grove area of southeast Montgomery County and the FM 1485 area of northeast Harris County,” according to the release.

In a separate statement, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a voluntary call for residents in the Idlewild, Idle Glen and homes along the river in the Commons of Lake Houston subdivisions to evacuate. Residents in those areas already seeing high water should stay put and call 911.

Residents in Northwood Country Estates, River Terrace, Cypress Point , parts of Kingwood and the Commons of Lake Houston, should stay in place until the water recedes, which could take up to 36 hours, according to the statement.

The areas of Harris County affected were along the east fork of the San Jacinto River south of the Grand Parkway.

The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management also issued a voluntary evacuation notice for a portion of land immediately south of FM 1485 and east of I-69. Locals are asked to move to higher ground, as the low-lying areas around FM 1485 started to flood, stated a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Tuesday evening.

“We expect FM 1485 to become impassable later tonight and stay impassable for a few days,” the post stated.

The flooding stemmed from rain that fell earlier during the weekend. It is expected to push the river to a crest of 71.9 feet Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, the flood stage is 58 feet.

“All of that water has to work its way through the system; that’s why we’re seeing that delayed flooding,” Houston Chronicle Meteorologist Justin Ballard said. “There is the potential for additional flooding late tomorrow night into Thursday.”

Neighbors and residents can stay updated on rainfall and water levels via the Harris County Regional Flood Warning System website.

The recent storms and flooding prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to issue a disaster declaration for 29 Texas counties, including Harris , Galveston and Montgomery counties.

“This disaster declaration will swiftly provide Texans with all readily available resources needed to recover following storms and flood activity,” Abbott said in a statement Tuesday night. “As several counties in East Texas continue to face ongoing weather threats, Texans in at-risk areas should remain aware of their flood risk and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones.”

What streets are expected to flood?

Officials expect lowland flooding to hit the area south of FM 1485, including roads such as Spalding, Green, Jett and Casey. FM 1485 is projected to be impassable, submerged below several feet of water, the Harris County Flood Control District said in the news release sent out around 3:30 p.m.

Ground-level homes in the Idle Glen Subdivision are also at risk of flooding, especially along streets such as Chinquapin, River Side , E. San Jacinto , Glenwood, Dipping, Idlewild, and Lazy Creek . Elevated homes in the area may be inaccessible, the release stated.

The potential street floods may isolate elevated Northwood Country Estates homes. Harris County Flood Control District officials expect flooding to affect streets along Disher, Bounds, Thomas and Davidson, the release stated.

Elevated River Terrace and Cypress Point homes may also be isolated in the floods, and streets in the former that are likely to flood include River Terrace, Elm, Pine, Cherry Laurel, Holly, and Cypress, said the release.

Cypress Point streets along the river expected to flood include Blue Lake, Oak Knoll, Wild Oak and Birchwood. Low-lying spots in the Kingwood area near the river’s East fork will likely flood, most affecting undeveloped land and backyards. Officials said they don’t expect the rising water levels to lead to structural flooding, the release said.

Residents who decide to safely evacuate and need a place to stay can go to the Leon Grayson / Baldree Community Center at 13828 Corpus Christi St.

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