EAST FORK OF SAN JACINTO RIVER – The Houston area, especially in our northern counties, is in a serious flood pattern. This, after another overnight round of heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, and hail moved back into southeast Texas. The bad news about the storms this morning is the heaviest rain is falling over the same areas where we had flooding yesterday.
For this reason, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a press conference Friday morning, along with several emergency responders and county leaders on the weather’s impact in our area.
Judge Lina Hidalgo will address the press at Hooks Airport Saturday before taking a helicopter flight with Harris County flood control to see the flooded areas from above. As the County plans its recovery efforts, this aerial view will help assess the extent of damage.
SEE ALSO: ‘The worst is yet to come:’ Houston mayor says first responders standing by as floods intensify
During the press conference on Friday, Judge Hidalgo reiterated her calls for residents living on the east side of the East Fork San Jacinto River to evacuate if they already haven’t. She added how the emergency Management alert remains activated at level 1 (maximum readiness).
“It means there’s an imminent threat,” Judge Hidalgo said.
Initially, there was a voluntary evacuation but because the severe weather threat has worsened, Judge Hidalgo says it has turned into a mandatory evacuation. She added that rescue efforts would be challenging for first responders if they were to conduct rescue missions.
“Whatever actions you still haven’t taken that we’ve requested, please take them now,” she said. “If you’re home right now where we’ve asked for a mandatory evacuation, you’re extremely vulnerable.”
In touring the area, where the threat is expected to worsen, Judge Hidalgo acknowledged how some residents have lived in the area for years but seem to be downplaying the intensity of the weather, and wanted to reiterate the urgency.
“It is not your typical river flood,” Hidalgo admitted. “This is much worse. It is a catastrophic event and we all need to take the urgent, and necessary steps to respond accordingly.”
“I can’t emphasize enough what the Judge mentioned earlier, we are asking people to take the appropriate actions so we don’t put our first responders at risk,” Mark Sloan, Homeland Security & Emergency Management Coordinator for Harris County added. “They are going to do everything for life safety for you but you need to do those actions as well because we don’t want them putting their own lives at risk to go help you when we’ve asked you to do something for yourselves.”
This latest request update comes as a reminder that mandatory evacuations were issued for residents Thursday living on the east side of the East Fork San Jacinto River.
That’s from FM 1485 all the way down to Lake Houston. This is the latest, urgent information coming from Harris County, and they are urging people to get out of the area before nightfall.
Water was expected to rise significantly Friday morning, but Judge Hidalgo cautioned Thursday that it’s safer for both homeowners and first responders if everyone leaves the area while there is still daylight.
Anyone who needs help evacuating themselves, families and/or pets, should call 911.
Hidalgo said the urgency along the east fork of the San Jacinto River has increased because conditions are worse than they imagined.
As the water from the intense rainfall in the last 24 hours causes the river to rise, it could spread out half a mile, according to Hidalgo.
“We are changing from voluntary to mandatory evacuation because this is different from what happened Tuesday. There is significantly higher water, which is going to impact mobility and not only that, it’s going to impact your ability to take care of yourself and your ability to take care of your family. So we want you out of this area. We can’t force anyone to do anything, but this is a life-threatening situation and we need you to listen to that message that we’re giving.”
“Typically, that part of the river is about 45 to 50 feet above sea level,” she said.
Wednesday the water was hitting stop signs at 70 feet above sea level, and it’s expected to rise another 8 feet, according to emergency managers.
Hidalgo said that’s just 3 feet below where we were with Harvey.
“Even elevated structures will get water,” Hidalgo said. “It also means street-side structures will have rooftop flooding. It means the water will be hitting power lines which puts our emergency evacuation vehicles at risk because they’re not going to be able to see those lines.”
“Please evacuate that area as soon as possible,” she said. “Certainly before nighttime if at all possible.”
The water will begin rising early Friday morning, Hidalgo said.
Hidalgo signed a disaster declaration for Harris County, notifying the state that life and safety are in danger and that we will potentially need assistance.
The county has activated the Level 2 response, which means they’ve notified all their emergency response that we’re at a higher sense of urgency than before.
Shelters provided for evacuees
- Green House International Church | 200 W Greens Rd, Houston TX | 281-209-9339
- Philippians New Faith Baptist Church | 7858 Angus St, Houston TX | 832-965-0516
- Leon Z Grayson Community Center | 13828 Corpus Christi St, Houston TX | 713-455-3660
- Cavalry Baptist Church | 816 N Blair Ave, Cleveland TX | 281-593-1751
The Red Cross has also opened up five different shelters across the counties affected.
Kingwood, Forest Cove, NorthShore, Belleau Wood and River Crest
RECOMMENDATION: Leave or plan to stay 2-3 days
The areas affected alongside the river are going to be surrounded by water and “you will likely be trapped in your home for 2 to 3 days if you live close to the river,” Hidalgo said. Emergency managers don’t expect homes in that area to flood. It’s possible here and there, but not widespread.
Flooding will hit Kingwood tonight into tomorrow, lasting into the weekend, Hidalgo said. If you’re staying home, stock up.
Kingspoint, Atasocita Shores
RECOMMENDATION: Leave or be prepared to stay 3-4 days
These areas where the east and west forks of the San Jacinto River come together could be impacted by severe flooding.
“And that is another area that will impacted in terms of severe flooding that for all intents and purposes will trap people in their homes for 3 - 4 days. So that’s another area where we need folks to leave unless they’re prepared to stay at home for 3-4 days and to know that they won’t be able to get out of there probably unless they have a boat,” Hidalgo said.
Rio Villa, south of Lake Houston
RECOMMENDATION: Leave by sundown Friday or plan to stay 2-3 days.
There is only one way in and out, Wallisville Road, which will be underwater, Hidalgo says.
“The good news is that people in Rio Villa have more time because the water is flowing south. For them, we’re not asking them to get out today, but if you can, please leave before sundown Friday unless you’re planning to stay 2-3 days.”