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A number of Missouri City residents have contacted Emergency Management officials regarding the potential for a tropical wave developing in the Gulf of Mexico this week. According to the National Weather Service’s update as of Wednesday, June 13, 2018, there is a 20 percent chance of development in the next four days as a tropical wave reaches the Gulf. Reports are still in their initial stages, so additional details will be shared with residents as they are provided to our team.
Rain chances should increase during the upcoming weekend. When the rain begins will depend on how quickly the tropical wave reaches the southwestern Gulf. Currently, abnormally dry conditions to moderate drought exists along the Upper Texas Coast, and the tropical wave in the Gulf looks to bring much needed rainfall to the region.
Drought will help mitigate, but not eliminate, a flood risk. If too much of rain falls in too short of a period of time, isolated flooding issues may be a possibility. Exact rainfall amounts or locations that will experience the highest rainfall totals are still unknown at this time.
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Residents are encouraged to sign up to receive emergency alerts. Residents may also sign up for Emergency Management alerts via Twitter.com/MissouriCityEM.
According to the Texas General Land Office (GLO), experts anticipate an above-average 2018 Hurricane Season with 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes, three of which are expected to be major.
“Six Presidential Disaster Declarations have been issued for Texas in the previous three years. These disasters should serve as a reminder that Texans must prepare for hurricane season, and the most effected response and recover begins at the local level,” said George P. Bush, Commissioner of the Texas GLO.
Residents can download the US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas’ Hurricane & Severe Weather Guide to learn how to prepare for different weather hazards and stay safe in an emergency: http://bit.ly/2IZkok6.
While Fort Bend is designated by the State as a pass-through county for evacuees who live along the Gulf Coast, residents are still encouraged to prepare themselves and stay aware of the potential for severe weather that can accompany tropical systems.
As the “Show Me City” and the region witnessed last year during Harvey, hurricanes can produce heavy winds, storm surges, torrential rains, inland flooding and tornadoes. It is important that all citizens and businesses be aware of the hazards severe weather presents.
EOC officials also stress the importance of keeping a list of informational resources for reference. Recommendations for City residents include:
- Police and Fire Departments: 911 or 281.403.8700
- CenterPoint Energy: 713.207.2222
- American Red Cross – Fort Bend County Branch: 281.342.9480, Greater Houston Branch: 713.526.8300
- Ready Harris (www.readyharris.org); 713.881.3100; the Harris County Office of Emergency Management’s official website.
- Enable Fort Bend (www.enablefortbend.com); 281.238.3514; the agency assists individuals with functional and medical needs during an emergency or disaster.
- UT Physicians Nurse Triage Line – 713.486-UTRN (8876)
- University of Texas Physicians has a nurse advice line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Registered nurses from a diverse background of medical specialties staff this multi-lingual advice line and are ready to answer questions about medical problems, medications and treatments. Nurses can even contact caller’s pharmacist or physician.
- During Hurricane Harvey, this phone line was open throughout the entire emergency.
- MCTV: Comcast Ch. 16; AT&T U-verse Ch. 99
- WQMN – 1690 AM: Emergency advisory radio station
- MCTX Mobile App: Download it in the Apple App store or on Google Play
To learn more preparedness and safety tips, sign up here
For more information about Missouri City, please watch the City website:www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).