Severe Storms Caused Flooding In Houston Area Watersheds

HOUSTON, TX — Harris County Flood Control District officials are keeping a close eye on several Houston area waterways after the Houston area was inundated heavy rain, causing flooding along some creeks and bayous.

As of 6 a.m. Saturday, Harris, Waller, Montgomery, Fort Bend Brazoria, Grimes, Austin, Brazos, Galveston, Liberty, Washington, Polk, Walker, Colorado, Burleson San Jacinto, and Matagorda counties remain under a flood watch or flood warning until further notice.

Harris County and many of the surrounding counties have been under a flash flood watch since noon Friday, as forecasters predicted more than 10 inches of rain in some areas north of the Houston Metro area.

"After today's events, fortunately it doesn't appear to be as bad as it might have been, but it seems to be on going," Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said Friday. "The word is really caution. It appears most of the major bayous will stay in their banks."

The worst hit was the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, which will impact residents in that area for several days as officials conduct releases on at Lake Conroe, as more water from areas north moves down stream.

"We are expecting to begin along the west for of the San Jacinto River tomorrow [Saturday] afternoon," Harris County Flood Control Meteorologist Jeff Linder said during a press conference Friday.

The levels will peak by Monday, and remain elevated through the middle of next week, Linder added

Meanwhile, several area watersheds saw some flooding as the remnants of Friday night's storms moved though the area, with some of those watersheds either out of their banks or near flood stage.

Those included:

• Greens Bayou
• South Mayde Creek
• White Oak Bayou
• Little Cypress Creek
• Cypress Creek
• Langham Creek
• Mound Creek
• Spring Creek
• Armand Bayou

Bayous such as Buffalo Bayou and Brays Bayou were not as adversely impacted.

However, Emmett said the watersheds will continue to rise over the next few days, which could cause flooding for some residents.

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