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Preparedness

2020 Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 3 to 9 | Get Prepared | Season Begins June 1

While Missouri City stays home during this pandemic, City officials encourage residents to prepare ahead to weather any storms during the 2020 Hurricane Season. As such, City Council Members proclaimed the week of May 3 as “Hurricane Preparedness Week” at their Monday, May 4 Regular Meeting.

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.

“Our Emergency Operations Center is currently active, responding to COVID-19, but we are also prepared for any severe weather incidents including the upcoming Hurricane Season” said Interim City Manager Bill Atkinson. “Staff is also planning for several training activities with all teams and outreach initiatives for the community in preparation for the season.”

2020 Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Image Courtesy of National Weather Service

To emphasize the importance of preparing before a storm hits, the National Weather Service has designated Sunday, May 3 to Saturday, May 9 as “2020 National Hurricane Preparedness Week”. During this week, MCTX emergency officials encourage residents to:

  • Determine Your Risk: Based on your location, find out what types of wind and water hazards could happen in your area and make a plan now on how to handle them.
  • Develop an Evacuation Plan: Identify safe locations that are not prone to wind/flood threats that you can shelter in, if there is an evacuation order issued. Remember to account for your pets too, as most local shelters do not permit them. Make sure to put these locations and the plan in writing as well.
  • Assemble Disaster Supplies: Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of three days. Also, remember to include extra cash, battery-powered radios, flashlights, batteries, maps, cell phones, chargers and other important documents.
  • Get an Insurance Checkup: Ensure that you have proper insurance coverage for your home, cars and boats. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding; check with your insurance company/agent or the National Flood Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov now if you think coverage is needed. Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
  • Strengthen Your Home: Make sure to trim trees that are too close to homes ahead of a storm. And, remember to secure loose objects that are outside, move vehicles to a safe location without blocking the streets and board up windows/doors including garage doors with proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels once there is a storm approaching.
  • Help Your Neighbor: Check on your neighbors and share the importance of preparing ahead of time, collecting supplies before the storm, assisting with evacuation if needed and checking-in after the storm passes.
  • Complete a Written Plan: Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan and share it with your family. Know where you will ride out the storm and get your supplies now. Don’t forget to keep all your important documents together for quick access and have photo documentation of all valuables.

In addition, during any disaster, communication between the City and residents is key. Citizens are encouraged to follow the City’s official websites and social media outlets to receive timely, accurate information during any emergency. The two main platforms used by City staff to share real-time information are the MCTX Emergency Management website, www.MissouriCityReady.com and the MCTX Twitter account, Twitter.com/MissouriCityEM. Residents may sign-up to receive alerts via both of these outlets.

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. 
  • 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

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 Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store.)

Coronavirus

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas Department of State Health Services and other public health officials, continues to monitor an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

DSHS reports no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Texas at this time. While this is a serious public health threat, based on current information, the risk to the general American public is low.

Prevention

While Wuhan coronavirus is a new respiratory virus, ways to prevent respiratory illness are the same:

  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Travelers

Travelers should avoid all nonessential travel to Hubei Province, China, including Wuhan.

  • Travelers to Hubei Province, China
    • Avoid contact with sick people.
    • Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
    • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
    • Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to Wuhan with their healthcare provider.
  • Travelers arriving from Hubei Province, China
    • Monitor for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for at least 14 days and seek medical care right away if you experience those symptoms. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
    • Avoid contact with others.
    • Not travel while sick.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
    • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Additional Resources

Additional Information

For more information, visit www.fbchealth.org/ncov.

UPDATE: Tornado Watch Cancelled

UPDATE 1:00 A.M.

The National Weather has cancelled the Tornado Watch for the region.

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UPDATE 9:15 P.M.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the region including Missouri City until 4 a.m.

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The National Weather Service is predicting a line of severe thunderstorms across the south east Texas later tonight. Damaging winds, tornadoes and hails are expected in parts of the region including Missouri City.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts on www.MissouriCityReady.com and Twitter—@MissouriCityEM. The storm is anticipated to pass through the region between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Emergency management officials also advices citizens to have multiple ways to receive alerts and to ensure that those will wake you up if needed.

Additionally, citizens are urged to keep the streets clear of trash cans, vehicles or any loose debris to allow safe passage for our Public Safety and Public Works vehicles and to keep the drainage system clean and to protect your property. Also, avoid traveling through flooded areas, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

City staff is closely monitoring all roadway conditions. If there are areas of concern in your community, please call 281.403.8700. 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 (readyharris.org); 713.881.3100; the Harris County Office of Emergency Management’s official website.
  • Enable Fort Bend (enablefortbend.com); 281.238.3514; the agency assists individuals with functional and medical needs during an emergency or disaster.
  • 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

For updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple App store).

Winter Freeze Warning in Effect: 9 p.m. Today to 9 a.m. Tomorrow; Residents Encouraged to Protect 4 Ps—People, Pets, Pipes & Plants

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for most of Southeast Texas including Missouri City from 9 p.m. today (Tuesday, Nov. 12), through 9 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 13). Freezing temperatures from 27 to 31 degrees are expected overnight.

Emergency management officials urge residents to protect the four Ps for winter safety:

  • People: check on the elderly and those who may not have access to heat
  • Pets: bring pets indoors
  • Pipes: properly insulate exposed pipes to prevent cracking
  • Plants: cover plants with fabric to help keep them insulated

11.12.19 Freeze Warning

Additionally, citizens are encouraged to stock up on food, water, medicine supplies and monitor local weather reports before travelling around the area and to sign up for emergency alerts on www.MissouriCityReady.com and Twitter—@MissouriCityEM.

During this time, City officials and staff are monitoring all roadway conditions and City facilities. If there are areas of concern in your community, please call 281.403.8700.

For updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store).

Flash Flood Watch Still in Effect Until 7 p.m. Today

Sept. 20, 7 a.m. Update:

Scattered showers still in forecast and the Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 7 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 20. MCTX staff is closely monitoring conditions including the water level in Oyster Creek. Stay cautious and remember, #TurnAroundDontDrown.

Also, municipal solid waste service provider WCA Waste Corp. has confirmed that service will resume today. Those areas that were missed yesterday will also be serviced today, please make sure the containers are out by 7 a.m. For more details, call WCA hotline at 281.403.5800.

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Sept. 19, 9 p.m. Update:

Residents should continue to use extreme caution when travelling in the region as more rain is possible; Flood Warning in effect until 1:30 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 20. MCTX staff is closely monitoring all roadways and the water level in Oyster Creek. Stay tuned for more updates and please monitor local media for all road closures in the region prior to morning commute. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.

In addition, according to officials from City’s Municipal Solid Waste provider, WCA Waste Corp., all routes for today were cancelled around 12:30 p.m. due to inclement weather and to keep their staff/equipment safe. Weather permitting, crews will resume service tomorrow. For more information on trash pickup, call WCA’s customer service line at 281.403.5800.

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Sept. 19, 3:15 p.m. Update:

Additional Road Closures:
Lexington Blvd. at Brightwater Drive (barricaded off)
Lexington Blvd. at Blue Rose Drive (barricaded off)
2100 Westshore Drive
Mission Valley Drive @ Turtle Creek Drive
3400 Crow Valley Drive

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Sept. 19, 2:45 p.m. Update:

Due to the severe weather, tonight’s Community Connection event is postponed to a later date. Also, a reminder that the Rec & Tennis Center is closed.

Please note the following street interruptions:
4100 block of Lexington at Blue Water is closed off
Lexington Boulevard at Bright Water is closed off
2000 block of Lake Olympia Parkway is flooded
3400 block of Quail Valley Drive is impassable
5th Street at FM 1092 is flooded
3100 Pecan Wood Drive is not passable
Ridgemont at Quail Valley East Drive is flooded
Scanlin between Texas Parkway and Columbia Blue is flooded

Stay tuned for further updates.

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Sept. 19 1:45 p.m. Update:

Flash Flood Warning for the area until further notice. To ensure safety of citizens, all the Recreation & Tennis Center classes are cancelled for today; and the center is closed at 1:30 p.m.

Residents are reporting several roadways with water:
– McLain, and Gregory

*More locations will be added as we get more confirmations.

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Sept.19, 2019 UPDATE:

Flash Flood Watch extended until 7 p.m. today, Thursday, 9/19. More heavy rain expected throughout the day and could cause street flooding. Please monitor local media prior for high water areas around the region prior to travelling. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.

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Sept. 18, 2019

WEATHER: Flash Flood Watch extended until 7 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, 9/19. Strong thunderstorms with heavy downpours are likely today through tonight. Rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour will accompany these storms and flooding will be possible after all the precipitation we have received so far.

MCTX staff has been closely monitoring the conditions, and as of 6 a.m. today, there are no reported high water areas within the City. However, there are areas in the nearby cities with high water and road closures. Please monitor local media prior for high water areas around the region prior to morning commute. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.

Also, both FBISD and HISD will be open today (9/18) and operate under normal schedules.

Learn more: www.MissouriCityReady.com

Forecast for Tropical Storm Imelda Includes Heavy Rains; Flash Flood Watch In Effect Until 1 p.m. on 9/18

According to the National Weather Service, the depression in the Gulf has now strengthened to Tropical Storm Imelda. The storm moved inland this afternoon with main threats of heavy rainfall and flash flooding through Thursday, Sept. 19.

A Flash Flood Watch has been in effect for the region since 1 p.m. today and will continue until 1 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 18). Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts on www.MissouriCityReady.com and Twitter—@MissouriCityEM. 

Additionally, citizens are urged to keep the streets clear of trash cans, vehicles or any loose debris to allow safe passage for our Public Safety and Public Works vehicles and to keep the drainage system clean and to protect your property.

With additional heavy rain expected overnight, street flooding is possible. Residents are advised to take precautions if necessary and monitor local weather reports before morning commutes. Avoid traveling through flooded areas, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

City staff is closely watching this storm and the Emergency Operations Center is at Level 3 (increased readiness). Crews are also monitoring all roadway conditions, and If there are areas of concern in your community, please call 281.403.8700. 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 (readyharris.org); 713.881.3100; the Harris County Office of Emergency Management’s official website.
  • Enable Fort Bend (enablefortbend.com); 281.238.3514; the agency assists individuals with functional and medical needs during an emergency or disaster.
  • 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

For updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple App store).