Houston braces for flooding event from Tropical depression, Harvey

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Prepare now for remnants of Harvey to roar towards Houston after crossing the Yucatan over the weekend. It's expected to re-develop and strengthen, and impact us as early as Friday as a rain event. The disturbance has the potential of bringing 10-12" of rain to our area. The worst-case scenarios include development into Cat 1 Hurricane or the disturbance could possibly stall and soak the Texas coast for a few days.

Officials are keeping a close eye on the bayous. Authorities are concerned about Meyerland, because this area is very used to getting slammed with that flooding.  Right now the Harris County Flood Control district is trying to prepare and have a plan in place even though they can't.

Galveston county officials are preparing this morning, and they want to get the word out to everyone that you should be getting ready for a rain event.  Some ways to get prepared: Make sure you have your supply kit that you would for extra food and water for everyone in your home to last a few days. Flashlights and batteries are needed, in case you end up losing power and first aid kits, but especially in the case of potential flooding. Protecting your documents could be crucial.

Important family documents like copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in waterproof containers could be key.the biggest thing. Emergency management officials want everyone to do is prepare now and don't take the potential threats lightly because we get them a lot. Keep your fuel tanks fueled up. Make sure you have water and supplies at your house. Any type of preparations, for example if you have patio furniture outside that might be loose and might fly. you can take those in now and get that secured now. 

In anticipation of Harvey making landfall in the Gulf Coast region, Governor Greg Abbott preemptively declared a State of Disaster for the following Texas counties:

  • Aransas
  • Austin
  • Bee
  • Calhoun
  • Chambers
  • Colorado
  • Brazoria
  • DeWitt
  • Fayette
  • Fort Bend
  • Galveston
  • Goliad
  • Gonzales
  • Harris
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Jim Wells
  • Karnes
  • Kleberg
  • Lavaca
  • Liberty
  • Live Oak
  • Matagorda
  • Nueces
  • Refugio
  • San Patricio
  • Victoria
  • Waller
  • Wharton
  • Wilson 

The Governor ordered the State Operations Center (SOC) to elevate its readiness level as the storm approaches, and made available any and all state resources to assist in preparation, rescue and recovery efforts.

"Texans believe in taking action and always being prepared in the event of an emergency," said Governor Abbott.  "That is why I am taking every precaution prior to Tropical Depression Harvey making landfall. Preemptively declaring a state of disaster will allow Texas to quickly deploy resources for the emergency response effort in anticipation of the storm's hazardous conditions."

Keep informed with new severe weather updates on the tropical disturbance: http://www.fox26houston.com/weather