With the weather forecast predicting potentially heavy rainstorms today and continuing into Wednesday, the Harris County Flood Control District is reminding residents that the area’s flat topography always poses a risk for flooding.
The Harris County Flood Control District is urging residents to be proactive and act now to protect their families and property by creating a family preparedness plan and staying put during a flood unless your life is threatened.
The Flood Control District has a “Family Flood Preparedness” center at http://www.hcfcd.org/famfloodprepare.html with helpful, printable resources, including:
- A guide on how to create and implement a Family Flood Preparedness Plan and what to do before, during and after a flooding event.
- A Family Emergency Kit checklist that includes information on how to build a first aid kit, how much water to have for family members and pets, tools that could come in handy and a helpful guide on what types of documents to store in a waterproof, portable container.
- A Family Emergency Contact Card printout – fill them out, give one to each family member and keep them close at all times.
- A “Repairing Your Flooded Home” guide by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross that provides vital step-by-step information on how to clean up, rebuild and get help after a flood.
- A “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” brochure by the National Weather Service that advises all residents to stay out of flooded roadways and waterways.
Flood control officials also urge all residents to take out flood insurance, even if their home is not in a known flood zone. Because flooding is at the top of the list of Harris County’s natural threats, the Flood Control District recommends that all property owners in Harris County have flood insurance.
Those wanting more information about flood insurance should contact their insurance agent or visit the National Flood Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.
If the weather worsens, it is important for Harris County residents to be aware of conditions near their workplace, schools and homes. The Flood Control District urges all residents to monitor rainfall and bayou levels on its Flood Warning System website at www.harriscountyfws.org.
The Flood Warning System draws information from a network of 133 gages that measure rainfall data and water levels in bayous and major streams throughout Harris County 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Real-time information is transmitted to the Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System team, which constantly monitors the information and works during severe weather events to advise the public and local officials of areas that are and could be affected by flooding.
Residents can input an address that will “zoom” the map to the nearest gage station location. The Flood Control District urged all residents to use the website and the information it provides to prepare and take appropriate precautions during periods of heavy rain and flooding.
The forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms tonight, some possibly becoming severe.
Wednesday has an 80 percent chance for thunderstorms.
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