HOUSTON — More heavy rain and storms pushed through the Houston area late Wednesday night and Thursday morning, causing big problems on the roads and flooding concerns across the region.
Keep up to date
Check back here for real-time updates on the flooding concerns and severe weather around Southeast Texas.
5:32 p.m.: Flooding closes Huntsville State Park
Floodwaters forced the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to close some state parks, including Huntsville. Map of closures here.
5:24 p.m.: Entergy update on power outages
Entergy Texas reports approximately 12,000 customers without power at 4:30 p.m., down from a peak of 37,600 Thursday morning.
While damage assessments are still underway, initial reports show downed trees and power lines caused by high winds and significant flooding. Most customers are expected to be restored by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, except for customers in the most heavily impacted areas.
5 p.m.: Manejo Emergencias: INUNDACIÓN
Harris/Houston Manejo Emergencias: INUNDACIÓN 1. Brazo Este SanJac River. PELIGRO.Evacúe ANTES de noche. 2. Al lado de SanJac River: Kingwood/ForestCove/NorthShore/BelleauWood/RiverCrest/Kingspoint/Atascocita.Evacúe antes de noche O prepárese quedar en lugar dos días. 3. Rio Villa:Evacúe Viernes o prepárese quedar en lugar dos días.
4:44 p.m. Some Houston-area school districts closed on Friday, May 3
Several districts north of Houston will be closed Friday due to the weather, including Conroe ISD, Montgomery ISD and Willis ISD. See the full list here. It will be updated as needed.
4:15 p.m.: Storm uproots giant tree in Kingwood
The mighty oak tree fell in the backyard of a Kingwood family's home. The homeowner is a retired pilot who suspects a microburst uprooted the tree but that's not confirmed. The family was surprised to see that it had been home to a bee hive.
“You know, I’ve lived in this home for 30 years and every sound I hear, I know what it is – and I heard this sound and I had no idea what it was," Gene Galka told us.
That sound he heard was all the bees buzzing around after the tree fell!
3:50 p.m.: Flooding in some Kingwood homes possible, HFD says
Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena said some areas of Kingwood may get water inside their homes this weekend if there's more rain and water released from Lake Conroe.
Mayor John Whitmire was in Kingwood Friday afternoon where he held a briefing to say the city is prepared if things get worse in that area.
“Our dive teams are here, our high-water vehicles, the City of Houston is doing everything it can as first responders and in its leadership to be prepared and will not hesitate to work with any agencies that have resources that we can use," Whitmire said.
3:33 p.m.: STAAR test extension for districts in flooding areas
TEA is allowing school systems unable to complete STAAR mathematics testing due to school closures from flooding this week to complete testing next week. All STAAR grades 3–8 mathematics and algebra I assessments for these LEAs must be completed by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 9.
3 p.m.: Nine water rescues in Harris County
In a 2:30 p.m. update from the city and county, officials said there have been nine water rescues in Harris County Thursday by The Houston Fire Department and other first responders.
2:52 p.m.: CenterPoint power outages
Just before 3 p.m., CenterPoint reported over 81,000 homes were still without power, primarily in NW Houston. Judge Hidalgo said some homes in the Spring area may be without power for 24 to 36 hours.
2:30 p.m.: Mandatory evacuations near San Jacinto River
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced mandatory evacuations Thursday near the east fork of the San Jacinto River from FM 1485 to south of Lake Houston. She said this is a "life-threatening situation" because the river is expected to rise to 78 feet, just three feet below what it was during Hurricane Harvey. Residents are urged to leave as soon as possible.
"Folks along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River need to evacuate before nightfall tonight," Hidalgo said.
These are the neighborhoods included in the evacuation order.
- Idle Glen
- Idle Wild
- Northwood Country Estates
- River Terrace
- Cypress Point
- Commons of Lake Houston
Voluntary evacuations in Harris County
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.
- Kingwood near the west fork of the river
- Forest Cove
- North Shore
- Bellawood
- River Crest
- Rio Villa
- Kingspoint
- Atascocita Shores
2:25 p.m.: Disaster declaration signed for Harris County
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has signed a disaster declaration for the county after widespread flooding from this week's storms.
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management has also increased its activation to Level II High Readiness to activate additional partners and monitor the ongoing severe weather threat.
2:11 p.m.: Ground stop at Hobby
All flights headed to Hobby Airport will be grounded until 3 p.m. due to thunderstorms.
Flights to Bush Airport are delayed for nearly 3 hours.
1 p.m.: Conroe homes flood
A family in McDade Estates in Conroe sent us photos of water inside their home. McDade Estates is a subdivision along the east side of the San Jac W Fork along FM 2854.
12:52 pm.: High-water rescues in Kingwood
There have been at least seven high-water rescues in Kingwood Thursday, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire's office. The mayor plans to go to Kingwood to address neighborhood concerns about flooding.
12:45 p.m. Montgomery County shelters open
Shelters are now open and available for any residents who need to evacuate because of flooding concerns. Pets are welcome at both locations.
South Montgomery County
- Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Parish
- 26777 Glen Loch Dr.
- The Woodlands, Texas
East Montgomery County
- Calvary Baptist Church
- 816 N. Blair Ave.
- Cleveland, Texas
12:28 p.m. Lake Houston closed
HPD Lake Patrol has closed Lake Houston due to ongoing excessive rainfall, swift water and debris.
12:15 p.m. Flash Flood Warning extended until 2 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for Harris, Montgomery and Liberty counties until 2 p.m.
12:10 p.m. Lake Conroe continues to rise
The San Jacinto River Authority continues to monitor water levels at Lake Conroe, which remains closed. According to the National Weather Service, 17 inches of rainfall has occurred north of the Lake Conroe watershed over the last seven days.
As of 12:08 p.m. Thursday, the level of Lake Conroe was 204.6 feet mean sea level (msl) and continuing to rise with a current gate release of 66,100 cubic feet per second (cfs), SJRA said. Real-time updates
11:55 a.m. Power outage update for Entergy Texas
At 11:30 a.m., Entergy Texas reported 28,300 customers without power.
11:47 a.m. Over 111,000 without power across Houston area
In the latest update from CenterPoint, 111,535 customers had no power at 11:47 a.m. The outages are widespread, but the hardest hit areas are northwest Houston off 290 from W. 34th St. to the Jersey Village area. Outage tracker
11:40 a..m. US 59 closed near SL 424 in Shepherd
Even a big rig got stuck when the driver tried to make it across US 59 in Shepherd.
11:28 a.m. Widespread power outages in Houston area
CenterPoint reports nearly 100,000 customers are without power in the Houston area. The outages are widespread, including 25,000 near 290 and W. 43rd St and another 13,000 in the Jersey Village area.
11:05 a.m.: US 59 at Big Creek in Polk County flooded
US 59 at Big Creek is flooded in Polk County, TxDOT says. Motorists are urged to take alternate routes until the water recedes.
10:45 a.m.: How to check bayous, creeks in your area
Worried that the rivers, creeks or bayous near you will flood? Here's how to check their water levels.
10:30 a.m.: Houston Fire Dept. rescues stranded drivers
HFD Chief Samuel Pena says they responded to at least three water rescue calls. He reminds drivers not to drive on flooded streets. If you don't need to be out, stay home.
10:25 a.m.: Flash Flood Warning extended until 1:30 p.m.
The Flash Flood Warning for Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and San Jacinto counties has been extended until 1:30 p.m.
10:10 a.m.: First responders in Kingwood
The Houston Fire Department, HPD and Houston Public Works are in Kingwood and other north Houston communities with high-water vehicles and other resources.
9:45 a.m.: Bush IAH continues to report flight delays
Stormy weather continues to cause flight delays at Bush Airport. Check with your airline before you head to the airport. Get real-time updates on flightaware.com.
9:26 a.m.: US 59 closed in both directions in Polk County
TxDOT says US 59 is closed in both directions near Choates Creek in Polk County due to high water. Drivers should avoid the area and choose alternate routes.
9:10 a.m.: FM 2693 is closed.
Floodwaters from the San Jacinto River have washed out the road on FM 2693, according to TxDOT. Drivers should avoid the area.
8:55 a.m.: Flash Flood Warning issued for Harris County
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Harris County, southern Liberty County, and south-central Montgomery County until noon. At 8:53 a.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area.
Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
8:50 a.m.: 59 SB feeder flooded in Kingwood
There's high water on the feeder on 59 southbound at North Park in Kingwood. Avoid the area.
8:45 a.m.: Bush Airport is reporting a delay
Bush Airport is reporting a delay of about 45 minutes. If you're heading to the airport, check your flights. Get real-time updates on flightaware.com.
7:58 a.m.: Broken dam closes road in Trinity County
FM 355 in Trinity County is closed due to a broken dam on a mill pond near the roadway. Avoid the area, TxDOT warns.
7 a.m.: Lake Conroe temporarily closed; people south of Lake Conroe dam should expect significant flooding
With more heavy rain, the levels of Lake Conroe are higher than normal, which could create dangerous conditions for boaters. Because of that, Lake Conroe is temporarily closed. According to the San Jacinto River Authority, they may need to increase the amount they're releasing into the San Jacinto River, which could cause significant flooding there.