4/20/2016
Flooding Impacts West Fork of the San Jacinto River (posted 4/20/2016)
Houston, TX - Since Sunday evening, the greater Houston region has experienced a significant rain event that has led to area flooding particularly along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. With more rain expected in the forecast today and tomorrow as well as area creeks continuing to rise, a flash flood warning will remain in effect for the West Fork of the San Jacinto River until Sunday night.
Council Member Martin has been proactively working with the Mayor's Office, the city's Public Works and Engineering Department, the San Jacinto River Authority, and the State of Texas monitoring the release rates of both Lake Conroe and Lake Houston.
The Lake Conroe Dam, as it relates to the State of Texas Dam Safety Protocol, has five (5) working gates, all 24 feet wide. At this time, gates one (1) and five (5) are open one foot, and gates two (2), three (3), and four (4) are open 1 1/2 feet. The total release from these five (5) gates is 7,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Additionally, three nearby creeks adversely affect the Lake Houston lake levels. Lake Creek is releasing water at a rate of 9,000 cfs, Spring Creek is releasing water at a rate of 28,000 cfs and Cypress Creek is releasing water at a rate of 13,700 cfs. In total, nearly 60,000 cfs is flowing into the San Jacinto River, into Lake Houston and eventually into Galveston Bay.
As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, all four (4) gates on Lake Houston are open and are releasing water at a rate of 68,000 cfs. Council Member Martin will continue to monitor the levels of Lake Houston and notify residents of any further potential impacts that may be felt with rising waters. Until then, individuals are asked to remain vigilant. If one must travel, always use caution and use your best judgement. In any circumstance, always remember "Turn around, don't drown".
Furthermore, several local roads around the San Jacinto River remain closed today including:
•Hamblen Road at Laurel Springs
•Hamblen Road at Burning Tree
•Eastex Freeway North and Southbound Frontage Roads at the San Jacinto River bridge
In addition to barricading the streets, the Houston Police Department's Kingwood Substation has also assigned two officers, 24 hours a day to patrol around the perimeter of flooded areas including Forest Cove, Northshore, Belleau Woods, and Moonshine Hill and will remain near the Hamblen Road flooding to prevent problems with individuals trying to enter the dangerous and high water.
Lastly, residents are encouraged to report any structural damage as well as debris and street damage to the city's 3-1-1 Service Hot Line. For additional information regarding storm recovery, please visit www.houstonemergency.org/go/doc/2263/2523430 or houstonfloodrecovery.org.
To stay updated on all flood related information including the latest lake levels and release rates, please "like" Council Member Martin's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter.
As always, the District E office is available to answer any questions that the public may have. Please contact us at (832) 393-3008 or by emailing districte@houstontx.gov.