Now would be a good time to make sure nothing is blocking the storm drains on your street. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Houston from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. This means conditions are favorable for flooding to occur. Heavy rain is expected to impact Houston beginning 6 p.m. Friday, December 7, and periods of intense and/or prolonged rainfall may cause flash flooding.
National Weather Service Flash Flood Prediction as of Dec 6 @ 5:40 a.m.
Protective Actions
Be Prepared. Bring pets inside. Delay travel or outdoor activities during periods of heavy rainfall. If travel is unavoidable, reduce your speed to avoid hydroplaning. Make sure storm drains on your street are clear.
If a Flash Flood Warning is issued for your area:
DO NOT travel. 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.
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.
Lake Houston Lowered in Anticipation of Storm
Council Member Dave Martin’s office says that the City of Houston has been lowering Lake Houston water levels since late last night.
Property owners should expect a lowering of up to 18 inches. Should additional lowering be necessary, Council Member Martin will work with Houston Public Works to make sure that everything possible is done to secure life and property in the Lake Houston area.
As of 1:30 a.m. Thursday afternoon, the Coastal Water Authority reported the level of Lake Houston at 41.54 ft. That’s about 12 inches below normal. Pre-releasing water from the Lake creates extra capacity for incoming floodwater to reduce the risk of flooding.
Harris County Meteorologist Discusses Local Impacts
Jeff Lindner, the Harris County meteorologist, also issued a special report this morning warning that, “Flash Flooding of streets along with significant rises on area bayous, creeks, and rivers to flood levels is possible.
Says Lindner, “Powerful upper level storm system moving into S CA and NW MX this morning will track generally eastward and into TX over the next 48 hours. Activity will increase today from the coastal bend northward along the I-35 corridor. Some of this activity will likely affect our far western and southwestern counties later this morning into the afternoon hours.”
Friday-Saturday
Lindner warns, “An excessive rainfall event is likely Friday afternoon-Saturday morning, resulting in flooding.”
“Models continue to suggest near record/record moisture levels will be in place by Friday afternoon. Forecast soundings show little instability, but loaded with plentiful moisture form the surface into the upper levels indicating convection will be very effective at heavy rainfall production. Unfortunately it appears the slow moving surface front will be nearing the US 59 corridor around the time that maximum parameters for heavy rainfall focus over SE TX. This includes a very strong 45-55kt low level jet which will transport copious moisture into the frontals slope. Add in a slow moving surface boundary and a nearly “tropical air mass” and you pretty much have everything needed for excessive rainfall rates.”
Widespread Rainfall of 3-6″, 8-10″ in Places
According to Lindner, widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches appear likely over nearly all of the area with isolated totals of 8-10 inches. It is still somewhat uncertain where those higher isolated totals may occur, but areas along and NW of US 59 may have a slightly greater risk than areas S of US 59. Much of the higher totals will tend to focus closely with the surface front and where it slows at times as it crosses the region. In addition to the overall totals, high hourly rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour will be possible which will lead to rapid urban flooding of street systems.”
River Forecast
The National Weather Service predicts significant rises in area watersheds. They say most basins can handle 6 hour totals of 3-4 inches, but anything greater than about 4 inches in 6 hours is going to likely be cause for concern. For Harris County, all of the creeks and bayous will likely see significant rises and exceeding of flood stage levels is possible. Greatest concern at the moment is for the watersheds over the northern half of Harris County. Some structure flooding will be possible if watersheds exceed their banks or intense rainfall rates overwhelm street systems.
They made the following predictions at 12:46 p.m., Thursday.
San Jacinto: minor to moderate flooding expected on the West Fork. Minor flooding on the East Fork
Cypress Creek: minor flooding forecast from Katy Hockley to West Fork of the San Jacinto River
Trinity: minor to moderate flooding expected along the entire river below Riverside
Brazos: Minor flooding expected at Hempstead and Bryan and will likely see at least minor at Richmond and Rosharon
Summary
Timing: Friday morning College Station area, mid to late afternoon Houston area through Saturday morning
Amounts: 3-6 inches widespread isolated 8-10 inches. US59 corridor may get the worst.
Watersheds: flooding of creeks, bayous, and rivers probable
Street Flooding: high threat for street flooding
Severe: a few storms late Friday night may become severe near the coast with a tornado threat.
Forecast Rainfall Amounts
Excessive rainfall amounts for Day 2
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/6/2018
464 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/image001.gif?fit=750%2C562&ssl=1562750adminadmin2018-12-06 11:33:392018-12-06 17:44:42Flash Flood Watch Issued from Friday Noon to Saturday Noon For All SE Texas
This morning, Dr. Charles Campbell, shared a spectacularly beautiful and inspiring photograph with me. He took it right here in Kingwood. It symbolizes all the hope and promise of a new day, maybe even a new year. Dr. Campbell jogs every morning at sunrise in East End Park where he took this shot.
Sunrise over Lake Houston from Kingwood’s East End Park at Otter Point. Photo courtesy of Dr. Charles Campbell.
Reconstruction to Date
As I lost myself in this photo, I reflected on the progress our dynamic community has made this year.
Most people have rebuilt from Hurricane Harvey or are at least close to completion.
Most businesses have returned.
Kingwood College should completely re-open in January with $60 million of renovations and new construction.
Kingwood High School also received an estimated $60 million makeover and update.
Memorial Hermann opened a new 45,000 square foot Convenient Care Center in the heart of Town Center.
Flood Mitigation Progress
And to help prevent a repeat of Harvey:
The Army Corps of Engineers has started a $67 million dredging project which it hopes to complete by next April.
City, County, StateandFederal leaders have rallied to urge FEMA and the Corps to extend the project past the mouth of the river. Both of these projects should help move water through the river faster.
Harris County voters approved a historic $2.5 billion Flood Bond. It includes money that will help build the gates and dredge the river on an ongoing basis.
The bond package also includes money to help build additional upstream detention. That will hold water upstream in future flood events.
The SJRA adopted a policy of seasonally lowering Lake Conroe during the peak of spring rains and the Hurricane Season. They will hopefully continue this until other mitigation measures are in place. This helps give us an additional buffer against giant storms.
The City of Houston adopted a policy of lowering Lake Houston, also in anticipation of major storms. Again, this gives the lake extra capacity to absorb more runoff before the river is forced out of its banks. This also is a temporary measure until other mitigation measures are completed.
The county is also buying out properties below the Lake Houston dam in anticipation of higher flow rates once additional gates are installed.
Harris County has purchased floodway property and will convert it to new parks. Construction on Edgewater Park will begin next year and create a second boat launch for area residents.
The City passed a new ordinance requiring homes to be built 2 feet above the 500-year flood plain.
The County and the Corps are starting to open up ditches like the one at River Grove that drains the western third of Kingwood.
Dredging has reached the side bar and up into the drainage ditch at River Grove past the boat dock. Photo Courtesy of Dave Seitzinger.
New Day for the Community That Refused to Quit
Clearly, we have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas. But as I look back, the thing I am most thankful for is that the people of this community chose not to ignore flood issues. We addressed them head on. As a result, our our homes, health and future will be much safer.
When I moved to Texas almost 40 years ago, I fell in love with the can-do attitude of Texans.
Tell a Texan something can’t be done and he’ll show you how.
Tell a Texan it’s hopeless and she’ll tell you to get out of her way.
And among Texans, few embody this spirit more than Houstonians, especially those in the Lake Houston area.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 5, 2018
463 days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Campbell-sunrise-12_3_18-small.jpg?fit=1500%2C1114&ssl=111141500adminadmin2018-12-05 12:02:022018-12-05 12:02:34Dawn of a New Day for the Lake Houston Area
The mouth bar. Sand, in part from the mines, has almost totally blocked the West Fork where it meets Lake Houston. Before/after measurements show that as much as ten feet was deposited in this area during Harvey (five below water/five above).
Ted Cruz has written a letter to FEMA asking for the agency’s help in removing the giant sand bar at the mouth of the San Jacinto River. In the letter, he calls the mouth bar a danger to property and lives.
Here is the text of his press release:
Sen. Cruz Pens Letter to FEMA Administrator Urging Additional Action on San Jacinto River
‘IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE FLOODING OF PROPERTY AND SAVE LIVES, I URGE YOU TO AMEND THE PROJECT WORKSHEET TO INCLUDE THE WEST FORK MOUTH BAR IN THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT’
December 3, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) last week penned a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long urging him to amend the scope of the existing FEMA dredging project on the San Jacinto River near Kingwood to include the mouth bar located on the West Fork of the river. Over 1,600 homes flooded in the area during Hurricane Harvey. The mouth bar, which is the biggest blockage in the river that feeds into Lake Houston, was made significantly worse by Harvey.
“In order to prevent future flooding of property and save lives, I urge you to amend the project worksheet to include the West Fork mouth bar in the scope of the project,” Sen. Cruz wrote. “Without such an amendment, surrounding residents are at risk of future flooding and FEMA is missing a key opportunity to leverage its current assets, help the state better prepare for future disasters, and reduce the federal cost of future disasters.”
The Honorable William B. Long
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, South West
Washington, D.C. 20472
Dear Administrator Long:
Over the last year, with the assistance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas has made enormous strides in recovering and rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332). As the recovery process continues, it is important to ensure that FEMA fully leverages its assets and funding to reduce the taxpayer cost of future disasters and help the state better prepare for future weather events.
One project in particular where this can be accomplished is the emergency dredging of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River—an area where Hurricane Harvey flooded 1,621 homes. The San Jacinto River Dredging Project (W9126G18B0019) is a DR-4332 FEMA Mission Assignment that directs the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to return the river to pre-event conditions. Specifically, this is a debris removal assignment, which includes sediment, with an estimated cost of $61 million.
Although the Army Corps recently began dredging operations on the West Fork of the river, the scope of the project does not include the delta or “mouth bar” that formed in the river and was made significantly worse by Hurricane Harvey. In order to prevent future flooding of property and threat to human life, FEMA should amend the project worksheet so that the scope of the project includes dredging the West Fork mouth bar and surrounding shoal sediments.
Under Section 403 of the Stafford Act, “Federal agencies may . . . provide assistance to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster,” which includes such activities as debris removal.
The mouth bar on the West Fork is currently constraining in-bank flow conveyance capacity, and local officials have referred to it as “the largest blockage on the river.” The Army Corps confirmed this analysis in a May 2018 Army Corps Value Engineering Study which indicated that “[t]he water [in the river] then slows as it reaches the upper end of Lake Houston dumping its suspended sediments into a delta. The accretion of this delta creates a dam like feature which then increasingly slows water and accretes the delta, compounding the problem.”
The sediment deposited into the river from Hurricane Harvey exacerbated the accretion of the mouth bar. If the West Fork mouth bar is not addressed to restore flow conveyance capacity, then the next rain event will likely result in both public and private property damage from flood waters rising out of the river’s banks. Even a small rain event in March created more flooding than expected as a result of the sediment constraints from Hurricane Harvey.
In order to prevent future flooding of property and save lives, I urge you to amend the project worksheet to include the West Fork mouth bar in the scope of the project. Without such an amendment, surrounding residents are at risk of future flooding and FEMA is missing a key opportunity to leverage its current assets, help the state better prepare for future disasters, and reduce the federal cost of future disasters.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the people of Texas and for your prompt consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
–––––
This is great news for Humble and Kingwood residents. It comes hot on the heels of a similar letter written earlier by Congressman Ted Poe to the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Perhaps now we will get some action. Let’s pray for a Christmas miracle.
Kudos to Houston City Council member Dave Martin for setting up a meeting between area residents and Senator Cruz’ staff at which residents helped explain the issues.
Posted on December 4, 2018 by Bob Rehak
462 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Harvey-SanJac_437-Mouth-Bar-Cropped.jpg?fit=1988%2C853&ssl=18531988adminadmin2018-12-04 18:54:492018-12-04 18:57:43Ted Cruz Throws His Weight Behind Mouth-Bar Campaign with Letter to FEMA
Flash Flood Watch Issued from Friday Noon to Saturday Noon For All SE Texas
National Weather Service Flash Flood Prediction as of Dec 6 @ 5:40 a.m.
Protective Actions
Be Prepared. Bring pets inside. Delay travel or outdoor activities during periods of heavy rainfall. If travel is unavoidable, reduce your speed to avoid hydroplaning. Make sure storm drains on your street are clear.
If a Flash Flood Warning is issued for your area:
DO NOT travel. 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:
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.
Lake Houston Lowered in Anticipation of Storm
Council Member Dave Martin’s office says that the City of Houston has been lowering Lake Houston water levels since late last night.
Property owners should expect a lowering of up to 18 inches. Should additional lowering be necessary, Council Member Martin will work with Houston Public Works to make sure that everything possible is done to secure life and property in the Lake Houston area.
As of 1:30 a.m. Thursday afternoon, the Coastal Water Authority reported the level of Lake Houston at 41.54 ft. That’s about 12 inches below normal. Pre-releasing water from the Lake creates extra capacity for incoming floodwater to reduce the risk of flooding.
Harris County Meteorologist Discusses Local Impacts
Jeff Lindner, the Harris County meteorologist, also issued a special report this morning warning that, “Flash Flooding of streets along with significant rises on area bayous, creeks, and rivers to flood levels is possible.
Says Lindner, “Powerful upper level storm system moving into S CA and NW MX this morning will track generally eastward and into TX over the next 48 hours. Activity will increase today from the coastal bend northward along the I-35 corridor. Some of this activity will likely affect our far western and southwestern counties later this morning into the afternoon hours.”
Friday-Saturday
Lindner warns, “An excessive rainfall event is likely Friday afternoon-Saturday morning, resulting in flooding.”
“Models continue to suggest near record/record moisture levels will be in place by Friday afternoon. Forecast soundings show little instability, but loaded with plentiful moisture form the surface into the upper levels indicating convection will be very effective at heavy rainfall production. Unfortunately it appears the slow moving surface front will be nearing the US 59 corridor around the time that maximum parameters for heavy rainfall focus over SE TX. This includes a very strong 45-55kt low level jet which will transport copious moisture into the frontals slope. Add in a slow moving surface boundary and a nearly “tropical air mass” and you pretty much have everything needed for excessive rainfall rates.”
Widespread Rainfall of 3-6″, 8-10″ in Places
According to Lindner, widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches appear likely over nearly all of the area with isolated totals of 8-10 inches. It is still somewhat uncertain where those higher isolated totals may occur, but areas along and NW of US 59 may have a slightly greater risk than areas S of US 59. Much of the higher totals will tend to focus closely with the surface front and where it slows at times as it crosses the region. In addition to the overall totals, high hourly rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour will be possible which will lead to rapid urban flooding of street systems.”
River Forecast
The National Weather Service predicts significant rises in area watersheds. They say most basins can handle 6 hour totals of 3-4 inches, but anything greater than about 4 inches in 6 hours is going to likely be cause for concern. For Harris County, all of the creeks and bayous will likely see significant rises and exceeding of flood stage levels is possible. Greatest concern at the moment is for the watersheds over the northern half of Harris County. Some structure flooding will be possible if watersheds exceed their banks or intense rainfall rates overwhelm street systems.
They made the following predictions at 12:46 p.m., Thursday.
San Jacinto: minor to moderate flooding expected on the West Fork. Minor flooding on the East Fork
Cypress Creek: minor flooding forecast from Katy Hockley to West Fork of the San Jacinto River
Trinity: minor to moderate flooding expected along the entire river below Riverside
Brazos: Minor flooding expected at Hempstead and Bryan and will likely see at least minor at Richmond and Rosharon
Summary
Timing: Friday morning College Station area, mid to late afternoon Houston area through Saturday morning
Amounts: 3-6 inches widespread isolated 8-10 inches. US59 corridor may get the worst.
Watersheds: flooding of creeks, bayous, and rivers probable
Street Flooding: high threat for street flooding
Severe: a few storms late Friday night may become severe near the coast with a tornado threat.
Forecast Rainfall Amounts
Excessive rainfall amounts for Day 2
Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/6/2018
464 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Dawn of a New Day for the Lake Houston Area
This morning, Dr. Charles Campbell, shared a spectacularly beautiful and inspiring photograph with me. He took it right here in Kingwood. It symbolizes all the hope and promise of a new day, maybe even a new year. Dr. Campbell jogs every morning at sunrise in East End Park where he took this shot.
Sunrise over Lake Houston from Kingwood’s East End Park at Otter Point. Photo courtesy of Dr. Charles Campbell.
Reconstruction to Date
As I lost myself in this photo, I reflected on the progress our dynamic community has made this year.
Flood Mitigation Progress
And to help prevent a repeat of Harvey:
Dredging has reached the side bar and up into the drainage ditch at River Grove past the boat dock. Photo Courtesy of Dave Seitzinger.
New Day for the Community That Refused to Quit
Clearly, we have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas. But as I look back, the thing I am most thankful for is that the people of this community chose not to ignore flood issues. We addressed them head on. As a result, our our homes, health and future will be much safer.
When I moved to Texas almost 40 years ago, I fell in love with the can-do attitude of Texans.
Tell a Texan something can’t be done and he’ll show you how.
Tell a Texan it’s hopeless and she’ll tell you to get out of her way.
And among Texans, few embody this spirit more than Houstonians, especially those in the Lake Houston area.
Posted by Bob Rehak on December 5, 2018
463 days since Hurricane Harvey
Ted Cruz Throws His Weight Behind Mouth-Bar Campaign with Letter to FEMA
The mouth bar. Sand, in part from the mines, has almost totally blocked the West Fork where it meets Lake Houston. Before/after measurements show that as much as ten feet was deposited in this area during Harvey (five below water/five above).
Ted Cruz has written a letter to FEMA asking for the agency’s help in removing the giant sand bar at the mouth of the San Jacinto River. In the letter, he calls the mouth bar a danger to property and lives.
Here is the text of his press release:
Sen. Cruz Pens Letter to FEMA Administrator Urging Additional Action on San Jacinto River
‘IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE FLOODING OF PROPERTY AND SAVE LIVES, I URGE YOU TO AMEND THE PROJECT WORKSHEET TO INCLUDE THE WEST FORK MOUTH BAR IN THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT’
December 3, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) last week penned a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long urging him to amend the scope of the existing FEMA dredging project on the San Jacinto River near Kingwood to include the mouth bar located on the West Fork of the river. Over 1,600 homes flooded in the area during Hurricane Harvey. The mouth bar, which is the biggest blockage in the river that feeds into Lake Houston, was made significantly worse by Harvey.
“In order to prevent future flooding of property and save lives, I urge you to amend the project worksheet to include the West Fork mouth bar in the scope of the project,” Sen. Cruz wrote. “Without such an amendment, surrounding residents are at risk of future flooding and FEMA is missing a key opportunity to leverage its current assets, help the state better prepare for future disasters, and reduce the federal cost of future disasters.”
Read the full letter here and below:
November 28, 2018
The Honorable William B. Long
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, South West
Washington, D.C. 20472
Dear Administrator Long:
Over the last year, with the assistance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas has made enormous strides in recovering and rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332). As the recovery process continues, it is important to ensure that FEMA fully leverages its assets and funding to reduce the taxpayer cost of future disasters and help the state better prepare for future weather events.
One project in particular where this can be accomplished is the emergency dredging of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River—an area where Hurricane Harvey flooded 1,621 homes. The San Jacinto River Dredging Project (W9126G18B0019) is a DR-4332 FEMA Mission Assignment that directs the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to return the river to pre-event conditions. Specifically, this is a debris removal assignment, which includes sediment, with an estimated cost of $61 million.
Although the Army Corps recently began dredging operations on the West Fork of the river, the scope of the project does not include the delta or “mouth bar” that formed in the river and was made significantly worse by Hurricane Harvey. In order to prevent future flooding of property and threat to human life, FEMA should amend the project worksheet so that the scope of the project includes dredging the West Fork mouth bar and surrounding shoal sediments.
Under Section 403 of the Stafford Act, “Federal agencies may . . . provide assistance to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster,” which includes such activities as debris removal.
The mouth bar on the West Fork is currently constraining in-bank flow conveyance capacity, and local officials have referred to it as “the largest blockage on the river.” The Army Corps confirmed this analysis in a May 2018 Army Corps Value Engineering Study which indicated that “[t]he water [in the river] then slows as it reaches the upper end of Lake Houston dumping its suspended sediments into a delta. The accretion of this delta creates a dam like feature which then increasingly slows water and accretes the delta, compounding the problem.”
The sediment deposited into the river from Hurricane Harvey exacerbated the accretion of the mouth bar. If the West Fork mouth bar is not addressed to restore flow conveyance capacity, then the next rain event will likely result in both public and private property damage from flood waters rising out of the river’s banks. Even a small rain event in March created more flooding than expected as a result of the sediment constraints from Hurricane Harvey.
In order to prevent future flooding of property and save lives, I urge you to amend the project worksheet to include the West Fork mouth bar in the scope of the project. Without such an amendment, surrounding residents are at risk of future flooding and FEMA is missing a key opportunity to leverage its current assets, help the state better prepare for future disasters, and reduce the federal cost of future disasters.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the people of Texas and for your prompt consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
–––––
This is great news for Humble and Kingwood residents. It comes hot on the heels of a similar letter written earlier by Congressman Ted Poe to the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Perhaps now we will get some action. Let’s pray for a Christmas miracle.
Kudos to Houston City Council member Dave Martin for setting up a meeting between area residents and Senator Cruz’ staff at which residents helped explain the issues.
Posted on December 4, 2018 by Bob Rehak
462 Days since Hurricane Harvey