Torrential rain brings widespread flooding to Houston
Barriers planned for various areas ahead of more expected rainfall
HOUSTON — Heavy rains that caused flooding in some parts of the Houston area and prompted about two dozen water rescues on Tuesday eased before causing major damage but, with more rain expected, authorities remained on guard and warned residents to stay alert.
While thunderstorms that dropped up to 5-6 inches of rain in some parts of Houston overnight had mostly moved out of the area Tuesday, additional storms were forecast for Tuesday evening, which could cause additional flooding in areas already saturated by rainfall.
“We don’t want anyone to let their guard down just because it stopped raining for now,” said Michael Walter, a spokesman for Houston’s Office of Emergency Management.
Authorities plan to pre-stage emergency vehicles and barricades in different areas of Houston in case expected rainfall Tuesday afternoon and evening becomes problematic, he said.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the region until this morning. The weather service said additional rainfall was forecast for Tuesday night, but the greatest potential for heavy rain was expected in areas east of Houston.
Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, said he expects some homes and structures will be flooded, but that tally is still being determined. Houston is located in Harris County.
While flooding is nothing new in Houston, the nation’s fourthlargest city has had more frequent and destructive floods in its recent history.
Since 1986, extreme downpours — the type measured in doubledigit inches — have occurred twice as often as in the previous 30 years, an AP weather analysis last year showed.
Houston is the only major U.S. city without zoning rules, and unrestrained development has also meant more pavement and less water-absorbing wetlands that could help mitigate f looding.
Jose Luis Ruiz spent Tuesday sweeping out about 1 foot of water that flooded his North Houston resale shop and moving soggy merchandise outside to dry.
Ruiz, 53, said he will likely have to throw away at least $2,000 in merchandise and is now looking to move his business, which has flooded twice before and is located behind a bayou that overflowed its banks on Tuesday.