HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has requested a voluntary evacuation for several areas in northeast Harris County along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River.
Hidalgo said the request comes as authorities have been monitoring a surge of water coming down the river following Sunday’s heavy rainfall event to the north of Houston.
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“The rate at which the water was coming down, flowing down into Harris County was much higher than what we expected,” Hidalgo said.
She explained that officials expect a rapid onset of flooding overnight in areas along the river in northeast Harris County.
“Right now, we are expecting rapid, overnight flooding near the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, which is the very northeast tip of Harris County,” she said.
The river is expected to rise 10-15 feet overnight. Hidalgo said in areas near the river, they expect the flooding to be similar to that experienced during Tropical Storm Imelda. While not everyone will see the same impact, areas near the river will have to worry about that.
The peak of the water level is expected around sunrise Wednesday morning.
“Because of that ongoing risk for flooding, I am asking that folks who live along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, but especially low-lying subdivisions along that area, in particular Northwood Country Estates, River Terrace, Cypress Point, Kingwood area, or the Commons of Lake Houston, as well as Idle Glenn subdivision and Idle wild, those are areas that are particularly at risk,” she said.
Three areas within that list have been requested to voluntarily evacuate. They are the Idle Glenn subdivision, Idle Wild, and those who live within a few blocks of the river in the Commons of Lake Houston neighborhood.
“Everybody else, we would prefer if you had an ability to get out of there, but we are not going to go as far as to say we are requesting an evacuation, but we do need people to make their own decision for their families,” Hidalgo said.
Hidalgo said people near the river could be trapped at home until the water recedes.
“They need to be aware that they are going to be trapped at home for 24 to 36 hours unless they have a boat,” Hidalgo said of people living near the river.
“Regardless of which subdivision they live in, residents near the river should also know that driving in the area will be extremely dangerous. In particular, FM 1485 will be submerged under several feet of water. Roads south of FM 1485 including Spalding, Green, Jett and Case are likely to also be affected,” a press release from the county said.
Those needing to evacuate can go to a shelter that has opened. The shelter is at the Leon Grayson/Baldree Community Center located at 13828 Corpus Christi Street in Houston.