*** Flash Flood EMERGENCY For ALL Of Southeastern Texas, Including The Houston Metro As Catastrophic Flooding Is Now In Progress ***
Doppler weather radar and automated rain gauges from around southeastern Texas indicated thunderstorms are producing heavy rain across all of southeastern Texas. Rainfall amounts in the last 24 hours of 14 to 28 inches have fallen across southeastern Texas. Intense thunderstorms are currently producing rainfall rates of 4 to 6 inches per hour across the region.
Dangerous life threatening to flood is ongoing. Many creeks, rivers, and bayous have flooded and have surpassed previous flood record levels. Unfortunately and sadly, this is EXTRAORDINARILY worse than I thought it would be and I already thought it was going to be horrific.
This is a National Weather Service FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY from the Bay City area to Wharton to Waller across the Houston Metro area to Stafford to Friendswood to League City and Santa Fe. Travel across the area is severely hampered, if not impossible. Over 1000 high water rescues have been performed and in some places, emergency crews cannot reach the worst hit areas. 5 fatalities have been reported. Some people are using attics and the second floor to escape the rising flood waters.
I cannot stress this enough – This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
This product covers Southeast Texas
**HARVEY CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FLOODING IN SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
for Jackson and Matagorda
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 180 miles west of Galveston TX or about 110 miles
west-northwest of Matagorda TX
- 29.2N 97.7W
- Storm Intensity 45 mph
- Movement South-southwest or 200 degrees at 1 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
A catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding event is
unfolding across Southeast Texas this morning. Five Flash Flood
Emergencies have already been issued for the Houston Metro area
overnight, some of which remain in effect this morning. Bands of heavy
rainfall will continue to drop devastating amounts of ADDITIONAL
rainfall across the area over the next several days. Tornadoes have
also been occurring across Southeast Texas over the last day or so and
will continue through the next several days. Coastal flooding may be
an ongoing issue along the coast where winds will continue to push
water onshore, particularly south of Sargent. Elevated tides will
cause the recession of coastal flood waters to be slow, likely lasting
into the first part of the week. Wind gusts to tropical storm force
are still ongoing, primarily in the southwestern portions of the area
towards Matagorda Bay. Though there are currently multiple hazards
present across the area, the greatest threat to life and property
remains the ongoing extreme rainfall and subsequent prolonged and
catastrophic flash flooding.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Catastrophic impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Southeast Texas. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters having additional catastrophic impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding will continue to prompt numerous
evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries are already overwhelmingly overflowing
their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small
streams, creeks, canals, and ditches will become raging rivers.
Flood control systems and barriers will become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous.
Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed
out.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Southeast
Texas. Remain well braced against a tornado event having additional
limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
pulled from moorings.
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Southeast Texas. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having
possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Upper Texas Coast south of Sargent. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts. If realized, these
impacts include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Do not return to evacuated areas until hazardous winds diminish and
flood waters abate.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to remain safely sheltered from the storm. Stay
inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case
you lose electrical power. Locate your battery powered radio and
flashlight from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Keep these items close.
During the peak of the storm, keep your shoes on and rain gear handy.
Boots and tennis shoes offer the best foot protection if you become
unexpectedly exposed to the elements.
Continue to keep your cell phone well charged for as long as
possible. If you lose power, use it more sparingly and mainly for
personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not overload communications
systems with idle chatter.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos. Be wise and avoid becoming another statistic.
Be ready to move to the identified safe room if your home or shelter
begins to fail. Quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor.
Put as many sturdy walls between you and the storm as you can.
Protect your head and body.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Houston/Galveston TX around 1030 AM CDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant. 