With Hurricane Nicholas Bringing Heavy Rainfall, Houston Enacts Flood Mitigation Efforts

HOUSTON, TX — Just before it made landfall in Texas, Tropical Storm Nicholas developed into a Category 1 hurricane a little after 10 p.m. Monday. and the storm is poised to bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding to Houston throughout Tuesday.

The city of Houston enacted several measures to help mitigate anticipated flooding and keep people safe during the storm, Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a news conference Monday morning.

Houston Public Works already has lowered Lake Houston about a foot, according to Turner, and could possibly lower it more. Public works crews also set up barricades at 43 flood-prone locations throughout the city, and city officials urged people not to drive around them.

Additionally, Public Works is working with the police and departments to deploy high-water equipment in various spots throughout the city. Such equipment can include high-water vehicles, rescue boats and equipment for rescue teams to deal with flooding. Turner said the three departments aren't focusing on just certain areas because of the uncertain track of the storm as of Monday morning.

As of the National Hurricane Center's 10 a.m. update on Nicholas, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the entire Texas coast, including Harris County, from the mouth of the Rio Grande River to Sabine Pass on the Louisiana-Texas border. A hurricane watch has been issued along the coast from Port Aransas to San Luis Pass, just west of Galveston Island.

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The latest forecast for Nicholas has the storm heading north and making landfall at or near Matagorda Bay late Monday before turning northeast toward Houston and southeastern Texas.

Much of southeastern Texas, including Harris County, is under a flash flood watch, and rainfall is expected to cause the biggest impact on the Houston area. According to NWS Houston, rainfall totals are expected to be between 8 and 16 inches, with some areas getting as much as 20 inches.

A storm surge of 2 to 5 feet also is expected in Galveston Bay, which is under a storm surge warning that stretches from Port Aransas to Sabine Pass. Reilly said another concern is that conditions could be favorable for isolated tornadoes.

Turner cautioned Houstonians not to drive through flooded streets, noting the popular slogan "turn around, don't drown." And he encouraged people to check the status of their flights out of Bush International Airport and Hobby Airport throughout the day.

The Houston METRO suspended bus service Monday night and will monitor weather conditions Tuesday before resuming.

Turner also said that 2,000 Centerpoint Energy customers were without power Monday morning, but that Centerpoint was working to restore power and prepare for other potential outages from the storm.

He said the most important thing was for Houstonians to stay safe and allow first responders and other city officials to respond to the storm.

"I encourage people to finish what they need to do [to prepare for the storm] before sundown," Turner said. "Help yourself out, and help us out — first responders and everybody else. If you don't have to be on the road later on this evening, please don't. Finish up what you have to do, and just kind of be at home in a safe place."