Hurricane Harvey Update - Wed 8/30 at 10:40
Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 10:52 am
The Fort Bend County Judge has asked that all residents who have evacuated not return to their homes until absolutely necessary–preferably after the Labor Day holiday. The reason for his request is that the Brazos River is still rising, there is a lot of street flooding, and the LID and other local governments are still involved in flood-fighting activities. The sun is out, however the LID has ordered additional pumps, fuel and sandbags which must be delivered on large vehicles that will have difficulty accessing the subdivision if they must navigate around cars stranded by high water.
Please note, this is not an indication that there is anything wrong with the levee—it is an access issue and a region-wide access issue. There are still lots of roads which are impassible and the County Judge is concerned that if everyone tries to return to their homes in the next few days it will further complicate the rescue/recovery/flood-fighting activities on a County-wide level.
UPDATED at 10:13am: The National Weather Service has just reduced their estimated crest of the Brazos River at the Richmond Gauge from 57.5 feet to 56 feet; however it is projected to remain at a major flood stage until next Tuesday.
This is fantastic news for our neighborhood. The levee system that protects First Colony (where we live) was designed to protect us from a water level of 55 feet on the Brazos River. Two days ago the river was expected to crest at 59 feet. The Chief Engineer told me yesterday that the levee closest to our home would hold up to 60 feet, but there may be lower spots in the levee system to worry about. There is a lot of street flooding in First Colony from the heavy rains, but only a few homes have water in them. Sunny day in Sugar Land (best weather ever in August), but we are not totally in the clear until after the Brazos River crests. All road into our neighborhood still have water on them, so we won't try to get out. It is a miracle that the electricity was only out for 12 hours on Saturday and that we still have internet.
Please note, this is not an indication that there is anything wrong with the levee—it is an access issue and a region-wide access issue. There are still lots of roads which are impassible and the County Judge is concerned that if everyone tries to return to their homes in the next few days it will further complicate the rescue/recovery/flood-fighting activities on a County-wide level.
UPDATED at 10:13am: The National Weather Service has just reduced their estimated crest of the Brazos River at the Richmond Gauge from 57.5 feet to 56 feet; however it is projected to remain at a major flood stage until next Tuesday.
This is fantastic news for our neighborhood. The levee system that protects First Colony (where we live) was designed to protect us from a water level of 55 feet on the Brazos River. Two days ago the river was expected to crest at 59 feet. The Chief Engineer told me yesterday that the levee closest to our home would hold up to 60 feet, but there may be lower spots in the levee system to worry about. There is a lot of street flooding in First Colony from the heavy rains, but only a few homes have water in them. Sunny day in Sugar Land (best weather ever in August), but we are not totally in the clear until after the Brazos River crests. All road into our neighborhood still have water on them, so we won't try to get out. It is a miracle that the electricity was only out for 12 hours on Saturday and that we still have internet.