HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news conference Thursday that she has signed a disaster declaration for Harris County.
This comes after several inches of rain fell over the area, including the northern part of the county Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Hidalgo said in the news conference that more rain fell than expected, severely affecting residents near the east fork of the San Jacinto River.
What is a local disaster declaration?
According to the Harris County Commissioners Office, that means public officials can exercise emergency powers to preserve life, property, and public health following a disaster. Some of those powers include:
- Ordering evacuation of a disaster-threatened or impacted area
- Control access to an area following a disaster
- Hold individuals liable for the cost of rescue efforts if they ignore mandatory evacuations
- Temporarily suspend certain regulations and deadlines
- Request federal financial assistance for recovery projects in the impacted disaster area.
However, most often, declarations are sought so that federal financial assistance can be obtained for both individuals and local and state jurisdictions in an impacted area to begin the process of recovery.
A mandatory evacuation was issued Thursday for residents on the east side of the east fork of the San Jacinto River. Hidalgo said it is a "life-threatening situation" and residents should leave as soon as possible. She said the river is expected to rise to 78 feet, just three feet below Hurricane Harvey levels.
There are voluntary evacuation advisories for several other communities around the San Jacinto River. People in the following areas should leave or plan to be stuck for two or three days as the water rises around them.
- Kingwood near the west fork of the river
- Forest Cove
- Northshore
- Belleau Wood
- River Crest
- Kings Point
- Atascocita Pointe