Houston"s Weather Forecast
KHOU.com Staff , KHOU 4:52 PM. CST January 18, 2017
Brays Bayou near Almeda at McGregor (Katie Prescott photo)
HOUSTON - An early morning thunderstorm flooded the Houston area with up to seven inches of rain Wednesday, leaving drivers stranded and highways in gridlock during the morning rush hour.
Dozens of drivers who ventured out in the early morning hours got stuck in high water and had to abandon their vehicles.
Some people ditched their cars for other forms of transportation. (Viewer photo)
One of the worst areas was Highway 288, which was shut down for hours.
"And the water just kept rising real quick and now it"s nothing but a big community," said one driver.
Many drivers were stuck until 10 a.m. when police turned everyone around and sent them in the opposite direction.
One of the worst areas was Highway 288, which was shut down for hours. At one point, northbound drivers were turned around and diverted to Loop 610.
"I waited until the fire department came to rescue us and the water was actually three feet deep," said another stranded driver.
Wreckers couldn"t keep up with the demand and some of them had to be towed themselves after getting stuck.
The rain also flooded some homes in the Meyerlandarea. One homeowner said it"s the fifth time his house has flooded. He had just finished the renovations from the last flood.
Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed a so-called flood czar last year to help usher in dramatic drainage improvements.
Initially, the city allocated $10 million for a Storm Water Action Team, or SWAT.
I never said wed get rid of flooding, said Turner. But were doing what we can to mitigate flooding and therell be announcements in the future about additional things we want to do.
Storm total accumulation showing the heaviest hit areas across SE Texas, after this morning"s first band of precip. #txwx pic.twitter.com/nNZov0UPsT
NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) January 18,2017
The Houston Office of Emergency Management said HFD responded to more than 75 flood calls throughout the city. Most of them were water rescues. They did one swift-water rescue in the Heights.
The Houston Police Department reports 132 vehicles have been towed from City streets or freeways since midnight. If you were forced to abandon your car in the street and it has been towed, you can find it online at findmytowedcar.com or by calling 713.308.8580.
Storm total accumulation showing the heaviest hit areas across SE Texas, after this morning"s first band of precip. #txwx pic.twitter.com/nNZov0UPsT
NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) January 18, 2017
Here"s the latest on the bayous.
Drone 11"s maiden flightshowed the water was beginning to recede in theNeartownarea by noon.
Fortunately, a second round of heavy rain Wednesday afternoon wasn"t enough to cause more flooding.
10:38 a.m. White Oak Dr. at Houston Ave. reopened and the high water has receded.
UPDATE: White Oak Dr. at houston ave. just reopened. flood waters have gone down. @DarbyKHOU @KHOU @BrooksKHOU pic.twitter.com/Tw3DvS826f
Adam Bennett (@AdamBennettKHOU) January 18, 2017
10:21 a.m. Darby said most of the floodwaters on the freeways have receded with the exception of Highway 288. Northbound drivers on 288 are still being diverted to 610 and traffic is still backed up.
10:15 a.m. Most schools started school late. HISDsays students unable to make it in Tuesday will receive an excused absence.
They call it the Bayou City. Sometimes the bayou"s in the road. Flooded car, Allen Parkway &Taft. #Houston #khou11 pic.twitter.com/seprSznvkL
The Bishop (@BillBishopKHOU) January 18, 2017
WATCH KHOU 11 now, tap here
LIST: High-water locations in Houston area
LIST: School closings and delays
TRAFFIC:Tap here for a live traffic map
CONDITIONS:View area weather conditions
LOCAL RADARS:Tap here for live radars
There"s a 60 percent rain chance again Thursday.
By Friday we dry out, but rain will return on Saturday. Daytime temps for the start of our weekend will be in thelow-80sbefore a front drops our temps into the60sby Sunday.
Next week our temps will be mild with mostly sunny skies. Gusty winds are expected Monday.
9:04 a.m.
White Oak Bayou, along White Oak Dr. near Houston Ave. That intersection is still closed due to high water @DarbyKHOU @BrooksKHOU @KHOU pic.twitter.com/hiUe1uE0FP
Adam Bennett (@AdamBennettKHOU) January 18, 2017
8:43 a.m.
Entrance 2 Westpark Tollway @ Post Oak under 10" of h2O. Closed off, crews have to pump H2O out. There"s a car submerged no injuries #khou11 pic.twitter.com/pYCyz9XfVs
Lauren Talarico (@KHOULauren) January 18, 2017
8:10 a.m.
Gridlock at I-45 and Main so bad, drivers are going the wrong way on the onramps just to escape. @DarbyKHOU pic.twitter.com/z9cw927Ylg
Adam Bennett (@AdamBennettKHOU) January 18, 20177:11 a.m.
METRO Rail has suspended service on the Green line, The Purple line only has service between Palm Center andEaDO. The Red live has service suspended between Burnett and Hermann.
METRORaillGreenLine: SERVICE SUSPENDED. Purple: Service onlybtwnPalm Center andEaDO. Red:SrvcsuspendedbtwnBurnett and Hermann.
METRO Houston Alerts (@METROHouAlerts)January 18, 2017
6:02 a.m.
#KHOUtraffic High Water: 2 RIGHT LANES AFFECTED, I-45 North Fwy NB before North Main. #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/sGliZ8TEHo
Darby Douglas (@DarbyKHOU) January 18, 2017
Flooding along NB Hardy Rd. alongside Hardy Toll Road just north of Little York. @chitakhou @KHOU pic.twitter.com/Sa6MVaD2qa
Adam Bennett (@AdamBennettKHOU) January 18, 2017
5:56 a.m.
The roads are a DISASTER! Check out the high water on 59 S near S Shepard. #khou11 pic.twitter.com/cCOePBuyZq
Lauren Talarico (@KHOULauren) January 18, 2017
The exit ramp from the Westpark Tollwayheading north to Post Oak is also closed due to high water.
5:45 a.m.
#KHOUtraffic High Water: EXIT RAMP CLOSED, Westpark Tollway NB exit to Post Oak. #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/ovpYvbOzc8
Darby Douglas (@DarbyKHOU) January 18, 2017
KHOU 11 has also received several videos of flooded vehicles including buses operating this morning.
5:30 a.m. The second tornado warning for Harris County has expired. There were no reports of damage.
4:15 a.m. A tornado warning for Harris County has expired.
The Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office says that State Highway 99 is closed at State Highway 90.
HIGH WATER: SH 99/90-A (closed), SH 99/1093 (passable), US 59/762 (passable). Many side roads. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/AIvHS8G2Mh
FBCSO Texas (@FBCSO) January 18, 2017
The City of Katy Office of Emergency Management says there is some high water over roads on Avenue D, Lilac, Drexel, Airline, Heights, Bluebonnet and some other spotted areas.
Be sure to give yourself extra time for your morning commute.
Several Houston-area school districts and institutions have said they will close to delay the start of classes Wednesday.
All #HISD schools are on a 2-hour delay today (1/18) because of flooding. Employees should report to work at their usual time, if possible.
Houston ISD (@HoustonISD) January 18, 2017
1:30 a.m. A tornado warning for Wharton County has expired.
Radars
( 2017 KHOU)
Source: http://www.khou.com/weather/houston-weather-forecast_/387107428