Texas Weather Update: Roads Closed, Houses Submerged As Heavy Rains Hit, Bring Floods

In the southeastern portion of Texas, roads have been flooded and houses were submerged in deep waters. Weather experts said that heavy rains have been experienced in College Station to Houston.

Disaster Declaration

So far, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a disaster declaration due to the adverse effects brought by the bad weather.

Hidalgo emphasized that residents in the affected areas should either prepare to stay where they are for the next two to three days or leave to ensure their safety. She added that families residing along the east fork of the San Jacinto River must evacuate to a safer place.

The local government has been focusing on response, at present, and once the immediate threat passes, she said that officials would move to guarantee the recovery of the area.

Further, the rain gauges in the northern portion of Harris County was reported to be between 10 and 12 inches of rain within the time frame of 24 hours.

The Harris County Flood Control District also disclosed that several streams were out of their banks.

Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott underscored that as flooding conditions and severe weather continue in multiple regions across Texas, he had directed the expansion of disaster declaration to 59 counties in order to ensure that residents and the entire communities will receive the assistance and support that they need.

''For Texans in at-risk areas, it is important to remain weather-aware, follow the guidance of state and local officials, and avoid traveling in dangerous flood conditions,'' Abbott said in an official statement.

He stressed that the State of Texas would continue working with emergency management and local officials to deploy any additional resources, which are needed to provide ongoing support and protect Texans adversely affected by the severe downpours and floods.

The counties which have been added to the disaster declaration include: Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cherokee, Colorado, Comal, Coryell, DeWitt, Falls, Fayette, Gillespie, Gonzales, Gregg, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hardin, Hays, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Llano, Mason, Medina, Milam, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Travis, Van Zandt, Waller, Washington, Williamson, and Wilson counties.

Still At Flood Risk

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), areas of North, West, Central, and East Texas have faced an increased risk of severe thunderstorms bringing excessive rainfall that later led to flash floods.

Meteorologists also said that they have forecasted extreme river floods over Central and East Texas river basins.

They said that river impacts across major river basins are expected to continue through next week. This means that river flooding threats will persist through that time.

Texas residents are advised to monitor local forecasts, make an emergency plan, and follow instructions of emergency response officials for their safety.

They are also urged to never drive or walk through flooded roads, and not drive around barricaded roadways.