Southeastern Texas has experienced severe flooding this week, affecting areas from College Station to Houston. The flooding has led to the overflowing of rivers, including the Trinity and San Jacinto, causing significant disruptions and leading to urgent evacuations. Heavy rain continued into Friday, May 3, 2024, worsening the flood situation.
Areas near Trinity have recorded between 150 and 230 mm (6 – 9 inches) of rainfall, and Groveton in Trinity County received nearly 280 mm (11 inches) of rain from Sunday, April 28 to Thursday, May 2. As the week progressed, the northern part of Harris County reported receiving between 250 mm and 300 mm (10 – 12 inches) of rainfall within a 24-hour period.
The Navasota River near Easterly set a historic peak at 30.62 m (100.43 feet), which is the highest recorded since June 1, 1899, when it reached 29 m (95 feet).
The situation prompted local authorities to carry out evacuations, especially in neighborhoods along the Trinity and San Jacinto rivers, where water levels continued to rise dangerously.
In response to the rising floodwaters, both voluntary and mandatory evacuations were ordered in various communities. In Harris County, Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a disaster declaration, particularly for residents near the East Fork of the San Jacinto River. San Jacinto County officials also ordered evacuations for residents living below the Lake Livingston Dam and along the Trinity River.
Despite the evacuation orders, some residents chose to stay, resulting in several emergency rescues. The Huffman Volunteer Fire Department reported that their first rescue involved an individual who initially refused to evacuate but later recognized the imminent danger as the water levels rose rapidly.
Emergency response teams, including high-water rescue trucks, have been deployed across the affected areas to assist with evacuations and rescues. Montgomery County officials have urged residents along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River to evacuate to higher ground immediately due to significant river level rises following water release from the Lake Conroe Dam.
Flood Watches remained in effect for parts of Texas and Louisiana due to expected additional rainfall and severe weather into Friday afternoon, May 3.
Major flooding
A new wave of heavy rain and thunderstorms hit the region on Friday, exacerbating flooding conditions in East Texas and driving river levels near those of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Particularly severe conditions are reported along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, which is experiencing major flooding with levels projected to rise several more feet and not expected to crest until late Friday.
Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with Harris County Flood Control, expressed significant concern about rapid water flow towards the northeast part of Harris County, particularly from the Plum Grove area in Montgomery and Liberty Counties.
Judge Hidalgo emphasized the severity of the situation along the east side of the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, with mandatory evacuations ordered from FM Road 1485 to Lake Houston. She warned that flooding could extend up to 800 m (0.5 miles) inland from the riverbank. “This is a life-threatening situation,” Hidalgo stated, urging residents to evacuate the area immediately.
The river, which typically flows at 14 – 15 m (45 – 50 feet), reached 21 m (70 feet) earlier in the week and is predicted to rise an additional 2.4 m (8 feet), nearing the devastating levels of Hurricane Harvey.
References:
1 Flooding swamps southeast Texas after more than a foot of rain – AccuWeather – May 2/3, 2024
2 East Texas officials stress worst yet to come as torrential rains persist and flash flood risk rises anew – FOX Weather -May 3, 2024
Featured image credit: Texas Parks & Wildlife
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