HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County leaders are urging residents in the mandatory evacuation neighborhoods near the east fork of the San Jacinto River to get out as soon as possible.
The flooding is expected to start by midday, according to County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and they believe around 200 structures will flood.
“This threat is ongoing and it’s going to get worse. It is not your typical river flood," Hidalgo said. "This is not what happened in January. This is much worse. It’s a catastrophic event and we all need to take the urgent and necessary steps to respond accordingly.”
She said residents in the mandatory evacuation area - from FM 1485 to Lake Houston - who stay behind are “extremely vulnerable.”
"We can’t force somebody to leave but if you stay there, not only are you a sitting duck but you’re putting our law enforcement in danger,” Hidalgo said. “And at some point, we can’t send our law enforcement into swift water that is sure to pose a threat to their life because you made a bad decision.”
County officials are concerned that "river people" who are used to flooding aren't taking this threat seriously.
These are the neighborhoods in the mandatory evacuation zone. Hidalgo said it's not just homes along the river at risk but up to half a mile from the water.
Water rescues underway in NE Harris County
Crews from the Huffman Fire Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office rescued residents from floodwaters on Casey Road near FM 1485, which is under the mandatory evacuation order.
Some residents thought they could stay put and were thankful for the first responders who came to their rescue as the water rose around them.
Longtime resident Peggy Newhouse was tearful as she thanked the rescuers. She and her husband waited too long to leave and got stranded.
"My kids have been calling all day wanting to know where we’re at, what we’re doing," Newhouse told KHOU 11.
Dozens of people and pets have already been rescued in the mandatory evacuation neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods under a voluntary evacuation
Hidalgo said these residents in the voluntary evacuation zone have two options: Either be prepared to stay in place for two to three days or if you can't do that, leave!
- Kingwood residents who live close to the west fork of the San Jacinto River
- Forest Cove
- North Shore
- Bellawood
- Rivercrest
- Kingspoint
- Atascocita Shores
- Rio Villa
Hidalgo said Kingwood residents closest to the river will be surrounded by water. Though there are multiple ways to get out of the area, Hidalgo said residents will likely be trapped for days if they chose not to evacuate. Water getting into homes was also a concern for Hidalgo. The same was said for the Forest Cove, Northshore, Bella Wood and Rivercrest neighborhoods.
River could rise to near Hurricane Harvey level
On Thursday, the county judge said the east fork of the San Jacinto River is usually 40 to 50 feet above sea level. On Tuesday, the river got up to 70 feet above sea level due to heavy rain Sunday night into Monday.
Hidalgo said the river is expected to reach 78 feet above sea level on Friday.
"That is just 3 feet below where it was during Harvey," she emphasized.
Hidalgo said Harris County was added to disaster declaration counties and the state is standing by to provide any resources needed.
Meteorologist Jeff Lindner with the Harris County Flood Control District said the flooding along the San Jacinto River will continue through the weekend and possibly Monday.
Based on the current forecast, Lindner said the water should start going down on Sunday but said that could change if there's more rain.
