The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 7:15 p.m. for the area including Missouri City. Street flooding, light hail and tornadoes possible in certain areas.
Residents are urged to stay indoors and if outside remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.
UPDATE: Flash Flood Warning in effect until 12:45 p.m. today. Drive with caution, and remember: Turn Around Don’t Drive.
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Check for updates for the region and use caution during morning commute.
Never drive through flooded roadways, do not cross flooded roads or waterways on foot, avoid ditches and storm drains and stay tuned to local media for road reports and updates. Remember—Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
More rain expected until tomorrow.
The 2019 Hurricane season blows in tomorrow, Saturday, June 1 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 30. If disaster strikes, Missouri City’s Emergency Operations Center is ready to respond.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting that a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. This outlook forecasts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season.
For 2019, NOAA forecasts a likely range of 9 to 15 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. View list of names for this season below:
While MCTX is designated by the State as a pass-through City for evacuees who live along the Gulf Coast, citizens are still encouraged to prepare themselves and stay aware of the potential for severe weather that can accompany tropical systems.
Residents and businesses in Fort Bend and Harris Counties are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts on www.missouricityready.com and learn how to prepare supply kits and stock up on necessary items such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, radios, first-aid kits, cell phones, chargers, maps and important documents.
To emphasize the importance of preparing before a storm hits and to assist the public with getting ready for the 2019 Hurricane Season, May 5 to May 11 was marked as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. In addition to sharing Hurricane Preparedness tips from the National Weather Service, MCTV produced several videos highlighting these main topics:
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 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.
To watch the full videos on these tips and to learn more about emergency preparedness, visit the City’s Emergency Management website—www.MissouriCityReady.com.
“As the ‘Show Me City’ and the region witnessed during Harvey, hurricanes can produce heavy winds, storm surges, torrential rains, inland flooding and tornadoes,” City Manager Anthony J. Snipes said. “It is important that along with our staff, citizens and businesses also prepare ahead of time, so that together as a City, we can withstand anything nature brings us this season.”
In a disaster, communication between the City and residents is key; we saw this first-hand with Hurricane Harvey. 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 is 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.
To ensure that the message is available to the public at-large, information will also be shared on the City’s main website—www.missouricitytx.gov; Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX; Twitter—@MissouriCityTX; municipal television station—MCTV (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse); radio station—1690 AM and Nextdoor.
“When inclement weather strikes, we encourage citizens to follow the City’s official communications tools to receive accurate information quickly,” said Mayor Yolanda Ford. “The safety of our citizens is a top priority and any decisions taken during an emergency will be first shared on the official channels. Take action now to stay alert during this hurricane season.”
It is also vital to understand the National Weather Service forecasts, and especially the meaning of hurricane and tornado watches and warnings.
Hurricanes: For a storm watch in this category, forecasters would report a possibility of winds of 74 mph and higher within 36 hours. For a warning, forecasters would report a possibility of winds at the same speed within 24 hours.
Tornadoes: A watch is an alert to monitor the skies and a warning signals that a tornado has struck the ground and shelter must be sought immediately.
And, for the following types of severe weather, experts offer these safety tips:
Lightning: Avoid high objects, stay away from isolated trees, telephone poles or communications antennas. Avoid contact with metal surfaces and do not bathe, swim or boat. Only use the telephone for emergency purposes.
Flash Floods: Never drive through flooded roadways, do not cross flooded roads or waterways on foot, avoid ditches and storm drains and stay tuned to local media for road reports and updates. Remember—Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Tornadoes: Texas is struck by more tornadoes than any other state. The safest places to seek shelter in homes, schools or workplaces are interior rooms, such as bathrooms, closets, rooms without windows, hallways, auditoriums and gyms. If driving when a tornado strikes, leave the vehicle and lie flat in a ditch or ravine, if possible.
Officials also stress the importance of keeping a list of informational resources for reference. Recommendations for City residents include:
For more updates and news, 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).
UPDATE: Even though the rain slowed down/stopped for now, the Flash Flood Warning is still in effect until 4:30 a.m. Stay safe, be cautious and remember – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
There is major flooding throughout the Houston region, so please check local media before your morning commute.
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UPDATE: Flash Flood Warning in effect from 5/9/2019 10:16 p.m. until further notice. Stay indoors and if travelling stay cautious and remember – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Road Closures:
In a proactive response to the forecasted weather and rising levels in area waterways, City officials are partnering with local authorities to safeguard residents. Municipal Utility District No. 49 will be pumping water out of the lakes in Oyster Creek Village at Lake Olympia into the drainage canal by 6 p.m. today—Thursday, May 9—to draw down the levels.
This work will require the MUD to close the road to thru traffic on Peninsulas Drive just north of Fern Meadow Drive. A detour will be set up using Cicada Drive in Rustlers Crossing for those residents that need to access areas north of the closure.
The below map shows the location of the road closure and proposed detour route:
Portions of Edible Arbor Trail and Mosley Park are still closed due to high water.
Residents are encouraged to stay away from the high waterways, to take precautions if necessary, to monitor local weather reports before travelling around the area and to sign up for emergency alerts on www.MissouriCityReady.com and Twitter—@MissouriCityEM.
The National Weather Service predicts additional heavy rainfall tonight through the weekend that may even accompany tornadoes or strong damaging winds and hail. Rainfall totals of about 10 inches are possible in the region by Saturday, May 11.
A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect through 7 p.m. Saturday. Street flooding and additional rises on rivers/waterways are likely. Residents are encouraged to be cautious and remember – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
As of today at 4:15 p.m., the Brazos River at Richmond is at 47.39 feet which is still in minor flood stage. Also, the Flood Warning for the River continues until late Sunday, May 12.
MCTX Emergency Management officials are tracking all weather developments and working with regional partners in monitoring waterway levels.
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Additionally, citizens are advised to keep the streets clear of vehicles/debris to allow safe passage for our Public Safety and Public Works vehicles, keep the drainage system clean and protect vehicles. Avoid traveling through flooded areas, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
City staff will be 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:
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).
Due to the immense rainfall the region received in the past few days, numerous area rivers, creeks and bayous including Brazos River and Oyster Creek remain elevated. As such, a portion of the Edible Arbor Trail and Mosley Park is closed due to high water.
In addition, a Flood Warning has been extended until late Sunday, May 12 for the Brazos River at Richmond. As of today, Wednesday, May 8 at 3:15 p.m., the Brazos River at Richmond is at 47.06 feet which is in minor flood stage. MCTX Emergency Management officials are tracking all weather developments and working with regional partners in monitoring the river levels.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay away from the high waterways, to take precautions if necessary, to monitor local weather reports before travelling around the area and to sign up for emergency alerts on www.MissouriCityReady.com and Twitter—@MissouriCityEM.
The National Weather Service predicts additional showers/thunderstorms that may even accompany tornadoes or strong damaging winds, hail and street flooding later this afternoon (Wednesday, May 8) and tonight.Additional strong storms are expected from Thursday and into the weekend. Damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes will also be possible during this time frame.
Due to the forecasted inclement weather, the Barbeque Cook-Off event that was planned for Friday, May 10 as part of Public Service Recognition Week for City employees has been postponed.
As such, all City offices will be open for regular business hours on Friday.
Also, given the interest in the third annual Mother’s Day Cake Decorating event, it will take place as scheduled on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Community Center, 1522 Texas Pkwy. View details: http://bit.ly/2DXGZt3.
Watch the City’s citizen communication tools for updates.
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Additionally, keep the streets clear of vehicles/debris to allow safe passage for our Public Safety and Public Works vehicles, keep the drainage system clean and protect your vehicle. Avoid traveling through flooded areas, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
City staff will be 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:
For updates, please watch the City websites: www.missouricitytx.gov and www.missouricityready.com , 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).
UPDATE: An areal flood warning is in effect for the region until 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8; please watch the City’s websites and social media outlets for future updates. Residents are also advised to monitor local media prior to your morning commutes as some streets, underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots might still have water.
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UPDATE: The flash flood warning for the region has been extended again until 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8; please watch the City’s websites and social media outlets for future updates.
Also, Fort Bend County judge KP George has issued a Disaster Declaration for flash flooding and potential Brazos River flooding. Learn more
UPDATE: The flash flood warning for the region has been extended again until 11:15 p.m. today—May 7; please watch the City’s websites and social media outlets for future updates.
Few high water areas reported in Missouri City are below:
UPDATE: The flash flood warning for the region has been extended again until 10:30 p.m. today—May 7; please watch the City’s websites and social media outlets for future updates.
UPDATE: The flash flood warning for the region is extended until 8:15 p.m. today—May 7; please watch the City’s websites and social media outlets for future updates.
The National Weather Service predicts widespread showers and thunderstorms from this afternoon (Tuesday, May 7) until Thursday, May 9 in the Southeast Texas region including Missouri City. The storms may even accompany tornadoes or strong damaging winds, hail and street flooding. Additional rain is also expected Friday and into the weekend.
Due to the recent rainfall in the region, numerous area rivers, creeks and bayous including Brazos River and Oyster Creek remains elevated. This additional rain could contribute to the rapid rise in Oyster Creek in Missouri City and may leave a portion of the Edible Arbor Trail inaccessible.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions if necessary and monitor local weather reports before travelling around the area and sign up for emergency alerts on www.MissouriCityReady.com and Twitter—@MissouriCityEM.
Additionally, keep the streets clear of vehicles/debris to allow safe passage for our Public Safety and Public Works vehicles, keep the drainage system clean and protect your vehicle. Avoid traveling through flooded areas, and remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
City staff will be 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:
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).
Missouri City wants to partner with all of its citizens and businesses to assure we all are prepared in times of emergencies. Join us by signing up for emergency notifications and by volunteering your time.
