Millions still reeling from flooding as Southeast Texas braces for more rain

A flood watch remained in effect Sunday across parts of Southeast Texas, with forecasters expecting several inches of additional rainfall and potentially significant runoff over a wide area that altogether covers more than 100 square miles and includes the city of Houston. The densely populated metropolitan center is home to more than 2 million residents and has been inundated by constant heavy downpours. Crews carried out hundreds of water rescues in Houston and surrounding neighborhoods earlier in the weekend.

Flood watches are issued when a mix of weather hazards create conditions favorable for flooding, but they do not necessarily mean flooding is imminent in a particular area. A flood watch currently in effect in Harris County – which includes Houston to College Station – was expected to remain in place until Sunday evening. It also extended eastward from greater Houston to the Gulf Coast.

Meteorologists have warned residents in flood watch areas to prepare for further spells of rain and thunderstorms overnight Saturday and throughout the day Sunday, after previous rounds of heavy rain flooded the area and submerged a large part of the territory in murky and high waters.

Crews had already rescued more than 400 people from homes, roofs and roads Saturday as neighborhoods flooded around Houston, the Associated Press reported, while others prepared to evacuate. Judge Lina Hidalgo, who oversees Harris County, where Houston is located, said at the time that 178 people and 122 pets had been rescued in that jurisdiction alone. No weather-related deaths or injuries were reported in Houston.

People still under flood watches in Southeast Texas were bracing for between 1 and 3 inches of additional precipitation Sunday, although the National Weather Service said higher amounts — perhaps as much as 8 inches – could end up happening in some places.

Continued flooding along the San Jacinto River was a major cause for concern, as rains raised water levels beyond capacity. Houston police shared a video on social media showing an officer rescuing a man and three dogs stuck in 8 to 10 feet of floodwater Saturday morning. That rescue took place at a trailer park along a section of the San Jacinto River near Lake Houston, police said.

“Excessive runoff has resulted in flooding of rivers, streams, and other low-lying flood-prone areas, particularly urban areas,” the National Weather Service said in its latest advisory, noting that river flooding continued Sunday morning and varied from moderate to major depending on the location.

A severe weather report released for the same region said localized flash flooding was also expected, “particularly in areas that have already received heavy rain over the past few days.” Strong and potentially destructive winds, large hail and tornadoes could also occur, according to the weather service. The heaviest precipitation was forecast in the morning.

Southeast Texas has been hit hard by heavy rains over the past week, with Houston and nearby neighborhoods bearing the brunt of the consequences. Hidalgo announced Thursday that she had signed a disaster declaration for Harris County after the area received more rain than expected the previous night, particularly endangering communities near the San Jacinto River, KHOU reported. CBS affiliate. But the storms put people living in river basins much further inland at risk for days, and the disaster declaration for Harris County came on the same day that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott widened the situation. a broader disaster declaration to include 88 of the state’s counties in total.