(Updated at 2 p.m.) Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control Meteorologist, reported that life threatening flash flooding is underway from Conroe to Porter to Winnie.
8.36 inches of rain has fallen in 1.5 hours at Caney Creek and FM 2090. Two day storm totals now are 20-22 inches over SE Montgomery County and 15-20 inches over NE Harris County.
The gage at US 59 and the West Fork reported 4.56 INCHES IN ONE HOUR and more than 9 inches in three hours this morning.
As a consequence, the West Fork has now risen 6 feet since this morning. As a consequence, the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, near Humble, until late Friday night, or until the warning is cancelled. West Fork Flooding is now likely.
Unlike last night, major flooding is now expected on the West Fork.
As of 11 a.m. forecasters expected the West Fork to crest at 53 feet. It is already to the major flood stage.
Other Bayous
Harris County’s bayous, creeks and tributaries are continuing to respond to the runoff from heavy rainfall. The following are out of banks:
Widespread deep flooding is in progress. Intense rainfall rates of 3-5 inches per hour can be expected in the Kingwood, Humble, Huffman, and Crosby areas. This will result in rapid onset flash flooding.
Kingwood Drive Closed By Wendy’s
Early this morning, I received a report that Kingwood Drive was cut off near the Randall’s shopping center near the front of Kingwood by the railroad tracks. Water was over the bumper of a fire truck.
Kingwood Drive is under water near Riverwood Middle School. Alberson can’t get to Town Center to see what is happening there. He can’t get through the Fosters Mill intersection.
Image courtesy of Josh Alberson. Kingwood Drive near Riverwood Middle School.HEB shopping center on Kingwood Drive at West Lake Houston Parkway. Water may or may not be in the store. Great enlargement shows people scratching their heads by the door. Photo by Josh Alberson.Memorial Hermann’s Convenient Care Center at Kingwood Town Center also appears to be flooded. Photo by Josh Alberson..The area next to the new retail development known as the Kingwood Docks. Photo from Kingwood Drive looking north by Josh Alberson.
Northpark Cut Off, Too
Northpark Drive appears to be flooded at numerous places between 59 and Mills Branch Road.
I received a report from a resident stating that a high water rescue attempt is in progress near the Northpark HEB shopping center. I’m not exactly sure where.
Daryl Palmer reports that Northpark is underwater near West Lake Houston Parkway also. It is impassable.
The St. Martha School near Northpark and Woodland Hills is reportedly flooded.
Mills Branch and Northpark. Photo by Josh Alberson. Alberson says that he saw an F250 get through, but other cars are flooding.
Cable Outages
I have also received reports of numerous cable outages which have hampered communication.
Other Street Flooding
Hunter’s Ridge and Bear Branch are experiencing street flooding similar to May 7th levels.
South Woodland Hills is flooding. A reader reports of one rescue that is currently underway of an elderly person.
Water is up to slabs in South Woodland Hills. Image Courtesy of Barbara Hillburn.
Jim Zura reports from South Woodland Hills that, “My properly-placed rain gauge filled up three times from yesterday through 10 AM. That’s 5 inches times 3. Just checked an hour later, and there was another 3 inches. So that’s 18+ inches in 24 hours. Flooding on my street is worse than the May flood, which was worse than Harvey, which was worse than Allison, etc.”
Josh Alberson in Kings Point said he almost flooded from water coming from his neighbor’s property, but was able to divert it.
Water is creeping up on several homes in Kings Forest, according to Jennifer Coulter. The Kings Forest Pool is in danger of flooding again.
Kings Forest Pool as of 11:40 am on 9/19/19. The pool house has 2-3 inches of water in it.
Flooding in Elm Grove a Foot Higher than May
Dianne Lansden reported that Elm Grove Elementary flooded.
Daryl Palmer reports that the flooding in Elm Grove is at least one foot higher than in May. Multiple homes have flooded again.
Jeff Miller, another Elm Grove resident, reports that streets that flooded in Elm Grove during the May 7th flood are filling up again.
Nancy Vera, who lives on the Harris/Montgomery County Line right next to Woodridge Village, says her and her neighbor’s homes are flooded again with brown water from the development. Vera says her backyard which borders Taylor Gully was dry when her home flooded. (Note: according to reports during the lunch hour, Taylor Gully is now out of its banks in this reach of the ditch.)
Nancy Vera’s home on Village Springs in Elm Grove on the morning of 9/19/19.Nancy Vera’s front yard, looking toward Village Springs. Woodridge development is to the right, out of frame. Submerged car at the end of Village Springs in Elm Grove. Photo courtesy of Allyssa Harris.Cogdill home at the end of Village Springs adjacent to new development.Photo courtesy of Allyssa Harris.Village Springs in Elm Grove. Photo courtesy of Allyssa Harris.Looking toward Woodridge Village, you can see a lake in the background. Video courtesy of Allyssa Harris. The detention ponds are totally overwhelmed.Close up cropped and enlarged from the shot above, better showing the water level coming from Woodridge. Photo courtesy of Allyssa Harris.
Below is video shot by Allyssa Harris showing water flowing OUT of Woodridge Village INTO Elm Grove. This leaves no doubt where the water is coming from.
Photo courtesy of Allyssa Harris.Taken at end of Village Springs looking toward Woodridge Village.
According to Allyssa who took the shots above, a kayaker just came by and said that Taylor Gully is now underwater.
Porter Flooding
Gretchen Dunlap-Smith in Porter immediately west of Woodridge Village who flooded on May 7th is flooding again. She reports that her house which never flooded before May 7th is filling up rapidly again.
Please check on vulnerable neighbors to make sure they are OK.
The City of Houston warns that multiple roads and highways are impassable. Water may rise into some residential buildings in Kingwood. Additional heavy rainfall is expected.
Lake Houston
As of 1:30 p.m, Lake Houston was up significantly, according to the Coastal Water Authority.
Lake Level
45.96 ft.
Normal Pool
42.38 ft.
Update Time
13:30 PM
Here’s what Karen Pickle’s Boat House looked like at 10:30 this morning.
By 12:30, it looked like this.
Stay tuned to Mother Nature.
3-hr rainfall rates range from 6-10 inches
Significant flash flooding is in progress. Water is entering homes in Huffman and water rescues are ongoing.
If you feel your life is in danger, call 911.
Other Affected Areas
It appears this line of thunderstorms will move south into the Spring, Sheldon, Highlands, and Baytown areas over the next hour. Flash flooding is likely along with rises on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, Gum Gully, and Carpenters Bayou.
Intense rainfall band sagging southwest toward Houston at 9am CT Thursday. (kktv.com/Space City Weather)
Posted by Bob Rehak at 8:30 a.m. on 9/19/19, updated at 2 p.m.
751 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1938.jpg?fit=1008%2C756&ssl=17561008adminadmin2019-09-19 08:42:042019-09-19 14:07:16Life Threatening Flash Flooding Underway From Conroe to Porter to Winnie
The National Weather Service just issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR OUR AREA. Extreme rainfall rates of 3-6 inches per hour could lead to extensive and rapid onset flash flooding. This flash flooding will be possible over the Humble, Kingwood, Huffman, Crosby areas if a line of thunderstorms progresses slightly more to the SSE over the next few hours.
Given saturated grounds and already high water levels in E/NE Harris County these sort of rainfall totals would result in significant run-off and flash flooding.
Travel is strongly discouraged in the Flash Flood Warning and Flash Flood Emergency areas.
Overnight, the remnants of TS Imelda continued to shift north. The heaviest rainfall occurred north and east of Houston. The East Fork of the San Jacinto is at flood stage at Splendora and New Caney. The NWS has issued multiple flood warnings for that area.
A band of intense rainfall with rates of 3-5 inches per hour continues from Conroe to Porter to Liberty to Winnie.
Conroe Airport recorded 5.16 inches of rain in the last hour.
This band of intense rainfall will move into the NE portions of Harris County over the next hour impacting areas around Kingwood, Humble, Huffman, and Crosby.
Flash flood warnings for much of the NE Houston, SE Montgomery County and W Liberty County that had been due to expire this morning have been extended to this evening.
Intense rainfall rates will result in rapid onset urban flash flooding. It is already in progress in SE Montgomery County.
Source: National Weather Service via SJRA.net
West Fork and Lake Conroe Well Within Banks
Overnight, the West Fork of the San Jacinto at the SH99 (Grand Parkway) received another three inches of rain.
Lewis Creek on Lake Conroe received two inches in the last couple of hours.
Lake Conroe is now at its seasonal lowering target of 199 feet (actual reading is 198.88). Until now, the lake had been about a half a foot lower than its target due to evaporation. Despite the rain, Lake Conroe is still two feet below its normal level of 201 feet. That means an additional two feet of buffer remains before the lake reaches its normal level. Another two feet remains beyond that before the lake would have to open its gates.
The West Fork at US59 is at 43.5 feet, a little up, but still six feet from coming out of its banks.
Source: Harris County Flood Warning System
Currently Lake Conroe is still releasing 0 cubic feet per second. I.e., NOTHING.
East Fork Getting Hammered
Over on the East Fork, it’s a much different story. The storm has hammered that area all night.
Caney Creek at FM2090 received 12 inches in the last 24 hours and almost 6 inches in the last six hours. And 4.5 inches between 6 and 7 am.
The East Fork at New Caney has risen 18 feet since yesterday and will continue rising. It is currently at 62.78 feet.
FM1485 is now under water and closed.
Peach Creek at Splendora rose 10 feet since yesterday.
The East Fork at 2090 received more than 14 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, more than 8 of those inches falling overnight. As a result, the stream rose another six feet since 2 a.m. Flooding is now likely.
Source: Harris County Flood Warning System
Source: Harris County Flood Warning System
Lake Houston Up Slightly
Lake Houston is at 42.78 feet. Normal is 42.38. As East Fork rains descend into the lake, we can expect a rise. How much depends on the amount of rain this morning across the region.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda should continue to drift slowly north today as extremely warm and moist air flows into Southeast Texas.
This moisture will feed the development of slow moving and training thunderstorms with rainfall rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour.
A persistent swath of storms across Eastern Montgomery, Liberty and Chambers county should wobble north then south early this morning.
Storms should continue to expand and develop further to the west as far out as the College Station by mid to late morning. Eventually a band of rainfall should develop and amounts across the band of 3-5 inches should be common with isolated amounts near 10 inches while outside of the band heavy rainfall may be more scattered in nature with amounts of only 1 to 2 inches.
The heavy rains will not only cause street flooding but with the elevated river and bayou levels more river flooding is likely to occur. The flash flood watch may need to be extended this evening. The flood threat may begin to shift further north tonight toward the Madisonville and Huntsville and Crockett areas.
Worst to East; Consider Yourself Lucky
As bad as this sounds, it could be worse. Areas east of us received an incredible 17.24 inches of rainfall in 6 hours near HWY 124 with a storm total nearing 28 inches. Catastrophic flooding is in progress along I-10 between Winnie and Beaumont.
Protective Actions
DO NOT Travel. Wait until the threat of high water has passed.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown®: Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see water covering the road, do not attempt to cross it. Only a few inches of water can float a vehicle . If you find yourself in a dangerous situation where your vehicle is taking on water, get out of the vehicle, get to a higher position, and call 911.
Monitor Official Sources for Current Information: Harris County Flood Warning System (harriscountyfws.org), Houston TranStar (houstontranstar.org), and the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Forecast Office (weather.gov/hgx).
Monitor Stream, Bayou, and Creek Conditions: Rain may move repeatedly across the same area, causing creeks and bayous to rise and possibly exceed their banks. Stay informed of current conditions and avoid traveling near creeks and bayous.
Avoid Traveling during Periods of Heavy Rain: Rain can reduce visibility and prevent you from seeing the road ahead, which could lead to accidents.
Posted by Bob Rehak at 7:30 a.m. on 9/19/2019
751 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HGX_loop-1.gif?fit=600%2C550&ssl=1550600adminadmin2019-09-19 07:36:162019-09-19 08:08:21Thursday AM River, Lake Report for Lake Houston Area; Flash Flood Warning In Effect
Click on the Rainfall and/or Stream Elevation tabs to see graphic representations like those above.
Better yet, establish an account and sign up for automated alerts. You can customize your preferences or accept defaults for as many gages as you wish.
The ground is already saturated. So any additional rainfall will result in rapid runoff So good luck to East Fork residents tonight and tomorrow.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist says “Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with isolated amounts up to 6 inches will be possible in this area with totals west of I-45 generally less than 2 inches.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/18/2019 at 6pm
750 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/790-1.png?fit=540%2C400&ssl=1400540adminadmin2019-09-18 18:17:542019-09-18 18:18:02East Fork Rose 11 Feet Today; Almost Out of Banks at FM1485
Life Threatening Flash Flooding Underway From Conroe to Porter to Winnie
(Updated at 2 p.m.) Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control Meteorologist, reported that life threatening flash flooding is underway from Conroe to Porter to Winnie.
8.36 inches of rain has fallen in 1.5 hours at Caney Creek and FM 2090. Two day storm totals now are 20-22 inches over SE Montgomery County and 15-20 inches over NE Harris County.
The gage at US 59 and the West Fork reported 4.56 INCHES IN ONE HOUR and more than 9 inches in three hours this morning.
As a consequence, the West Fork has now risen 6 feet since this morning. As a consequence, the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, near Humble, until late Friday night, or until the warning is cancelled. West Fork Flooding is now likely.
Unlike last night, major flooding is now expected on the West Fork.
Other Bayous
Harris County’s bayous, creeks and tributaries are continuing to respond to the runoff from heavy rainfall. The following are out of banks:
FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 7PM TONIGHT
Kingwood Drive Closed By Wendy’s
Early this morning, I received a report that Kingwood Drive was cut off near the Randall’s shopping center near the front of Kingwood by the railroad tracks. Water was over the bumper of a fire truck.
Kingwood Drive is under water near Riverwood Middle School. Alberson can’t get to Town Center to see what is happening there. He can’t get through the Fosters Mill intersection.
Northpark Cut Off, Too
Northpark Drive appears to be flooded at numerous places between 59 and Mills Branch Road.
I received a report from a resident stating that a high water rescue attempt is in progress near the Northpark HEB shopping center. I’m not exactly sure where.
Daryl Palmer reports that Northpark is underwater near West Lake Houston Parkway also. It is impassable.
The St. Martha School near Northpark and Woodland Hills is reportedly flooded.
Cable Outages
I have also received reports of numerous cable outages which have hampered communication.
Other Street Flooding
Hunter’s Ridge and Bear Branch are experiencing street flooding similar to May 7th levels.
South Woodland Hills is flooding. A reader reports of one rescue that is currently underway of an elderly person.
Jim Zura reports from South Woodland Hills that, “My properly-placed rain gauge filled up three times from yesterday through 10 AM. That’s 5 inches times 3. Just checked an hour later, and there was another 3 inches. So that’s 18+ inches in 24 hours. Flooding on my street is worse than the May flood, which was worse than Harvey, which was worse than Allison, etc.”
Josh Alberson in Kings Point said he almost flooded from water coming from his neighbor’s property, but was able to divert it.
Water is creeping up on several homes in Kings Forest, according to Jennifer Coulter. The Kings Forest Pool is in danger of flooding again.
Flooding in Elm Grove a Foot Higher than May
Dianne Lansden reported that Elm Grove Elementary flooded.
Daryl Palmer reports that the flooding in Elm Grove is at least one foot higher than in May. Multiple homes have flooded again.
Jeff Miller, another Elm Grove resident, reports that streets that flooded in Elm Grove during the May 7th flood are filling up again.
Nancy Vera, who lives on the Harris/Montgomery County Line right next to Woodridge Village, says her and her neighbor’s homes are flooded again with brown water from the development. Vera says her backyard which borders Taylor Gully was dry when her home flooded. (Note: according to reports during the lunch hour, Taylor Gully is now out of its banks in this reach of the ditch.)
Below is video shot by Allyssa Harris showing water flowing OUT of Woodridge Village INTO Elm Grove. This leaves no doubt where the water is coming from.
According to Allyssa who took the shots above, a kayaker just came by and said that Taylor Gully is now underwater.
Porter Flooding
Gretchen Dunlap-Smith in Porter immediately west of Woodridge Village who flooded on May 7th is flooding again. She reports that her house which never flooded before May 7th is filling up rapidly again.
The City of Houston warns that multiple roads and highways are impassable. Water may rise into some residential buildings in Kingwood. Additional heavy rainfall is expected.
Lake Houston
As of 1:30 p.m, Lake Houston was up significantly, according to the Coastal Water Authority.
Stay tuned to Mother Nature.
3-hr rainfall rates range from 6-10 inches
Significant flash flooding is in progress. Water is entering homes in Huffman and water rescues are ongoing.
If you feel your life is in danger, call 911.
Other Affected Areas
It appears this line of thunderstorms will move south into the Spring, Sheldon, Highlands, and Baytown areas over the next hour. Flash flooding is likely along with rises on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, Gum Gully, and Carpenters Bayou.
Posted by Bob Rehak at 8:30 a.m. on 9/19/19, updated at 2 p.m.
751 Days after Hurricane Harvey
Thursday AM River, Lake Report for Lake Houston Area; Flash Flood Warning In Effect
The National Weather Service just issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR OUR AREA. Extreme rainfall rates of 3-6 inches per hour could lead to extensive and rapid onset flash flooding. This flash flooding will be possible over the Humble, Kingwood, Huffman, Crosby areas if a line of thunderstorms progresses slightly more to the SSE over the next few hours.
Given saturated grounds and already high water levels in E/NE Harris County these sort of rainfall totals would result in significant run-off and flash flooding.
Travel is strongly discouraged in the Flash Flood Warning and Flash Flood Emergency areas.
Overnight, the remnants of TS Imelda continued to shift north. The heaviest rainfall occurred north and east of Houston. The East Fork of the San Jacinto is at flood stage at Splendora and New Caney. The NWS has issued multiple flood warnings for that area.
A band of intense rainfall with rates of 3-5 inches per hour continues from Conroe to Porter to Liberty to Winnie.
This band of intense rainfall will move into the NE portions of Harris County over the next hour impacting areas around Kingwood, Humble, Huffman, and Crosby.
Flash flood warnings for much of the NE Houston, SE Montgomery County and W Liberty County that had been due to expire this morning have been extended to this evening.
West Fork and Lake Conroe Well Within Banks
Overnight, the West Fork of the San Jacinto at the SH99 (Grand Parkway) received another three inches of rain.
Lewis Creek on Lake Conroe received two inches in the last couple of hours.
Lake Conroe is now at its seasonal lowering target of 199 feet (actual reading is 198.88). Until now, the lake had been about a half a foot lower than its target due to evaporation. Despite the rain, Lake Conroe is still two feet below its normal level of 201 feet. That means an additional two feet of buffer remains before the lake reaches its normal level. Another two feet remains beyond that before the lake would have to open its gates.
The West Fork at US59 is at 43.5 feet, a little up, but still six feet from coming out of its banks.
East Fork Getting Hammered
Over on the East Fork, it’s a much different story. The storm has hammered that area all night.
Lake Houston Up Slightly
Lake Houston is at 42.78 feet. Normal is 42.38. As East Fork rains descend into the lake, we can expect a rise. How much depends on the amount of rain this morning across the region.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda should continue to drift slowly north today as extremely warm and moist air flows into Southeast Texas.
A persistent swath of storms across Eastern Montgomery, Liberty and Chambers county should wobble north then south early this morning.
Storms should continue to expand and develop further to the west as far out as the College Station by mid to late morning. Eventually a band of rainfall should develop and amounts across the band of 3-5 inches should be common with isolated amounts near 10 inches while outside of the band heavy rainfall may be more scattered in nature with amounts of only 1 to 2 inches.
The heavy rains will not only cause street flooding but with the elevated river and bayou levels more river flooding is likely to occur. The flash flood watch may need to be extended this evening. The flood threat may begin to shift further north tonight toward the Madisonville and Huntsville and Crockett areas.
Worst to East; Consider Yourself Lucky
As bad as this sounds, it could be worse. Areas east of us received an incredible 17.24 inches of rainfall in 6 hours near HWY 124 with a storm total nearing 28 inches. Catastrophic flooding is in progress along I-10 between Winnie and Beaumont.
Protective Actions
DO NOT Travel. Wait until the threat of high water has passed.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown®: Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see water covering the road, do not attempt to cross it. Only a few inches of water can float a vehicle . If you find yourself in a dangerous situation where your vehicle is taking on water, get out of the vehicle, get to a higher position, and call 911.
Monitor Official Sources for Current Information: Harris County Flood Warning System (harriscountyfws.org), Houston TranStar (houstontranstar.org), and the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Forecast Office (weather.gov/hgx).
Monitor Stream, Bayou, and Creek Conditions: Rain may move repeatedly across the same area, causing creeks and bayous to rise and possibly exceed their banks. Stay informed of current conditions and avoid traveling near creeks and bayous.
Avoid Traveling during Periods of Heavy Rain: Rain can reduce visibility and prevent you from seeing the road ahead, which could lead to accidents.
Posted by Bob Rehak at 7:30 a.m. on 9/19/2019
751 Days after Hurricane Harvey
East Fork Rose 11 Feet Today; Almost Out of Banks at FM1485
The East Fork of the San Jacinto at FM1485 received almost 10 inches of rain today, including almost two inches in one hour late this afternoon.
Just upstream at 2090, the East Fork also received more than 10 inches in heavy bursts throughout the day.
As a consequence, the East Fork has risen 11 feet in the last 20 hours. It currently stands at about 57 feet. Flooding becomes likely at 60 feet.
Therefore, the river has three more feet to rise before coming out of its banks at FM1485.
Stay alert. For the most up to date information, consult:
Better yet, establish an account and sign up for automated alerts. You can customize your preferences or accept defaults for as many gages as you wish.
The ground is already saturated. So any additional rainfall will result in rapid runoff So good luck to East Fork residents tonight and tomorrow.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist says “Additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with isolated amounts up to 6 inches will be possible in this area with totals west of I-45 generally less than 2 inches.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/18/2019 at 6pm
750 Days since Hurricane Harvey