Tag Archive for: flood warning

Tornado Watch, Flood Warning, Flood Watch In Effect

4:30 PM May 16, 2024 – The National Weather Service has issued a trio of alerts that affect the Lake Houston Area. A tornado watch, flood warning, and flood watch are all simultaneously in effect.

Scene Capture from RadarScope Pro at 4:12PM 5/16/24

Tornado Watch

The three include a tornado watch until 10 PM tonight. The watch includes all counties in the Houston Region and then some. 

AUSTIN               BRAZORIA            BRAZOS
BURLESON             CHAMBERS            COLORADO
FORT BEND            GALVESTON           GRIMES
HARDIN               HARRIS              HOUSTON
JASPER               JEFFERSON           LIBERTY
MADISON              MONTGOMERY          NEWTON
ORANGE               POLK                SAN JACINTO
TRINITY              TYLER               WALKER
WALLER               WASHINGTON          WHARTON

Update: At 5:50 PM, issued a tornado warning for NW Harris, Austin and Waller Counties. They spotted rotation on radar. The warning will expire at 6PM, but it speaks to the severity of these storms.

Flood Warning

The Weather Service has also issued a flood warning for the San Jacinto East Fork. Predicted crests are increasing from minor to moderate levels near FM1485. This could affect people in Harris, Montgomery and Liberty Counties. Some are still cleaning up from the flood two weeks ago.

Flood Watch in Wider Area

Finally, a flood watch has been issued due to excessive rainfall across the region. This one could trigger flooding on other creeks, streams and bayous. The watch area includes:

Houston-Trinity-Madison-Walker-San Jacinto-Polk-Burleson-Brazos-
Washington-Grimes-Montgomery-Northern Liberty-Austin-Waller-
Inland Harris-Southern Liberty-Coastal Harris Counties

This watch is primarily due to excessive rainfall associated with the approaching storm. It could drop 2-4″ across a wide area, with isolated totals up to 6-8″.

Lake Houston is in the area of highest risk – Level 4 – for excessive rainfall.

National Weather Service (See below.)

Flash Flooding Possible

High intensity rains could produce flash flooding that makes driving dangerous.

The ground is already super saturated from previous rains. “There is just nowhere for the water to go,” said Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner.

According to Lindner, “Widespread rainfall amounts of 2-4″ will be likely north of HWY 105. Isolated totals could reach upwards to 6-8 inches. Amounts will decrease toward the south with totals near the coast less than 1 inch. This will virtually be a carbon copy of the last several rainfall events in terms of location and amounts.”

Lake Report

Lake Conroe was releasing 1590 cubic feet per second until the noon hour today. Then, the SJRA stopped releasing water give the Coastal Water Authority a chance to reduce the level of Lake Houston. Lake Houston continues to release water.

Lake Conroe operators hoped they had enough capacity in the Lake to absorb the expected influx of water. But at 4:30PM, the resumed releasing 1587 CFS.

They also announced that they will “pass through storm water and runoff received in the Upper San Jacinto River Basin until Lake Conroe returns to conservation pool.” (201 feet)

Both lakes just returned close to their normal levels from the floods in early May. However, Lake Houston is still a few inches above normal.

Total inflows into Lake Houston are at 6,627 cfs and outflows are at 8,960 cfs. Lake Houston gates have and will remain open until the gate that is stuck partially open is repaired.

Impact on Sedimentation

Most sediment moves during floods. And the West Fork sure has been piling up sediment lately. KSA just completed a sonar survey in River Grove Park where the Kingwood Diversion Ditch enters the West Fork.

Before the last storm, sand had built up at the mouth so that only about two feet of clearance was available for boats. After the last storm, sand is poking up even closer to the surface…and the river is still about a half foot above normal.

Even with water up about a half foot, you can see sand bars lurking just below surface at the River Grove boat launch.

The City of Houston is getting ready to launch a new $34 million dredging program between Kings Point and FM1960.

DRC/Callan Marine mobilizing for new dredging program south of Forest Cove Pool.

Unfortunately, the new City program won’t include the mouth of the Diversion Ditch. KSA will have to hire its own dredger to keep the boat docks open.

KSA’s dredging interval has gone from 8 to 4 to 2 years. It sure seems as though it would be less expensive if we didn’t have West Fork floods flowing through sand pits.

Sand mine on San Jacinto West Fork near Kingwood

For Real-Time Information

To monitor:

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/16/24 at 4:30 PM

2452 Days since Hurricane Harvey

The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.

East Fork Homes Flooding, Another Flood Watch Issued

May 1, 2024 – Even as East Fork homes are flooding, the National Weather Service has issued another Flood Watch for the region.

Monday’s Storm Brings Wednesday’s Flood

The stormwater from last Sunday night/Monday morning that’s flooding homes near the East Fork San Jacinto could get reinforcements tonight. Another powerful storm is approaching and will collide with moisture laden air from the Gulf later day.

That caused the National Weather Service to issue another flood watch from 10 PM this evening until Thursday evening for Houston and Harris County.

That same NWS bulletin also says that a flood warning remains in effect for the East Fork San Jacinto near New Caney affecting Liberty, Montgomery and Harris Counties.

Jeff Lindner, Harris County’s meteorologist, warned in his midday report that “Widespread amounts of 2-5 inches are likely with isolated totals of 6-9 inches. High hourly rainfall rates will be likely on the order of 2-4 inches which will produce rapid onset flash flooding.”

Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston Already Taxed to Max

The additional rainfall could overburden already overtaxed watersheds. “There is no capacity at either Lake Livingston or Lake Conroe,” said Lindner. “Additional inflows and run-off will have to pass through the dams’ floodgates.”

Although Lindner expects the heaviest rains to stay north of Harris County, “There is some potential that some of the heavy rainfall reaches into northern Harris County overnight,” he added.

If so, the storm could impact Spring, Cypress, Little Cypress, and Willow Creeks as well as the tributaries in northern Waller and southwestern Montgomery Counties, such as Lake Creek.

Lindner says significant rises will be possible depending on the rainfall amounts and patterns. Flash flooding will be likely where heavy rains occur.

That could deal a devastating blow to homes already flooding along the East Fork.

East Fork Photos Taken Morning of Mayday Flood

Pictures taken this morning between 9 and noon showed roads flooded out and many homes and vehicles already underwater.

TXDoT closed FM1485 at the East Fork/Montgomery County line.
SH99 on left, FM1485 on right.

Streets close to the river also flooded.

Looking S. Casey Road on left flooding from East Fork on right.
Home with flooded vehicles and heavy equipment at Casey and Spaulding.
Flooded homes at Casey and Green.
Cypress Hollow just N of SH99.

I took more than a hundred photos like these this morning. Some people were lucky with the water stopping just feet from their homes. Other people were not so lucky. They will need help.

Colony Ridge, Plum Grove and FM2090

Farther north, I explored Colony Ridge and Plum Grove near FM2090.

One of the main entrances to Colony Ridge where it approaches Plum Grove Road

The water there was already starting to recede. But still, many roads were barely passable. Most smaller vehicles did not brave the water.

Opposite angle, same intersection. Unable to see the sides of the road, traffic tried to stay close to the centerline to stay out of the ditches.
Looking NW over East Fork. FM2090 was still passable, but water lapped at the bottom of the bridge. The East Fork completely flooded the abandoned sand mine (upper right) and swept sediment out of mine.

Ironically, even though I could see my way out of Colony Ridge (from the air), I could not get to FM2090 on the ground because of floodwaters. I had to drive south to SH99 to return home.

Dunnam Road Boat Launch

Back in Kingwood, I called a friend on Dunnam Road. She said her boat launch flooded and that water was lapping at the first house coming up the hill.

Dunnam Road boat launch.
Note water surrounding house adjacent to boat dock. Luckily it did not flood and water is receding as of 4PM.
This young man appeared to be making the most of the flood by giving his daughter a fishing lesson. A neighbor told me he’s been doing that since she was born!

Posted by Bob Rehak on May 1, 2024

2437 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Flash Flood Watch, Flood Warning Extended

Flood Watch through 7 P.M. For Most of Region

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood watch for most of the Houston region. The watch will last through 7 P.M. this evening.

Flood Warning Through Saturday Morning For Smaller Areas

In addition, NWS has issued a flood warning for counties to the west and east of Houston. See map below.

From Weather.gov

NWS predicts minor flooding for East Fork San Jacinto near New Caney affecting Harris, Liberty and Montgomery Counties.

Precautions:

Persons with interests along these streams should keep alert to rising water and take all precautions to protect their property. Do not drive or walk into flooded areas the depth and water velocity could be too great for you to cross safely. Avoid any water covered roads and find an alternate route. Livestock and equipment should be removed from the flood plain immediately. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather radio or other news sources for further updates. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.

Today’s Forecast: More Heavy Rain Probable

According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, “…deep tropical moisture to the west will help create a series of upper level disturbances once again today. The result: scattered showers and thunderstorms that should begin with daytime heating. As a disturbance approaches the area this afternoon from the west, showers and thunderstorms will likely become slightly more organized.”

The air mass over the Lake Houston Area remains capable of heavy to excessive short term rainfall rates. Yesterday, 5-7 inches of rain fell over northeast Harris County in 4-5 hours. 8-12 inches fell over Austin County near Bellville.

Hourly rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour were common on Monday and the same air mass is in place today.

Rainfall today will likely average between 1-2 inches over the region, but isolated totals of 5-6 inches will be possible. Short range models indicate areas along and northwest of US 59 could be the prime location today for heavy rainfall. However, much of this will depend on:

  • Where storms develop
  • If and where any training develops
  • If any storms anchor in place.

Grounds are saturated from the recent rainfall. During the last 7 days, that rainfall has averaged 5-7 inches over much of the region with isolated totals of 10-14 inches.

Watersheds are already elevated this morning due to the recent rainfall and ongoing run-off over the area. Additional heavy rainfall will quickly run-off creating new rises.

Bens Branch at Kingwood Drive around 6PM on 5/24/21 after a 4-inch rain. Additional rains today, if heavy, could force creeks like this even higher.

Rapid onset flash flooding of streets and poor drainage areas will be the primary concern today, but should heavy rainfall impact already elevated and swollen watersheds some flooding would be possible. 

We should get a break from the rain Thursday and Friday, but more rainfall could enter the picture by this weekend, driving up rain chances yet again.

It’s been a wet month and will get wetter.

River and Lake Report

From Harris County Flood Warning System at 6:20 AM, 5.25.21.

In the upper right at the highest red icon, Peach Creek at FM2090 is three feet out of its banks. This area has flooded three times this month.

The yellow icon below it and to the right is the East Fork at FM2090. It is still two feet within its banks, but additional rainfall today could cause flooding.

The red icon at the northeastern tip of Harris County is the East Fork at FM1485. It is out of its banks again for the third time this month.

From Harris County Flood Warning System

Lake Conroe is up about a half foot and releasing almost 1600 Cubic Feet Per Second.

As of 6:30 am on 5/25/2021

According to the Coastal Water Authority, Lake Houston is almost a foot and a half above normal and still releasing.

From Coastal Water Authority at 5:30 am on 5/25/2021

Posted by Bob Rehak at 6 a.m. 5.25.21 based on information from NWS and HCFCD

1365 Days since Hurricane Harvey