State Rep. Mike Schofield (photo courtesy Mike Schofield)
Barker, Addicks controlled releases increase significantly;
Flash flood warning in effect in Harris Co. until 7:15 this evening
As of this morning, it is estimated that the Katy area received 31-35 inches of rain from Harvey. According to the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, there is a flash flood warning in effect in Harris County until 7:15 p.m. tonight. So, be careful, the flooding may not be over just yet.
According to this morning’s update from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the controlled flow of water out of the Addicks and Barker dams has increased from yesterday’s 3,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) from each reservoir to 7,500 cfs from the Addicks dam and 6,300 cfs from Barker. The corp’s stated goal is to increase the flow to 8,000 cfs from each reservoir. This water will flow down the Buffalo Bayou, meaning that 16,000 cfs would flow down the bayou toward downtown Houston. These flows are designed to protect people living near the dam from having water overflow and go around the dam.
The corp spokesman explained that the release was increased quicker than expected because the levels in the Addicks reservoir increased faster than anticipated.
The result for people in the Katy area near the dams is that, as a result of the increased releases, very little water is expected to flow around the end of the Addicks dam and the corps said that no water is expected to flow around the end of the Barker dam.
There remains a strong concern for neighborhoods immediately adjoining the dams, as they may flood not due to releases from the reservoir, but due to the fact that the land directly next to the reservoirs is the lowest land and therefore is in the “pool” where water likely will collect. The corps explained that the land slopes upward as it goes west, so neighborhoods further west are on higher ground. As of 8 a.m., the level in Addicks was 109.1 feet, up from 108.9 last night and was expected to crest at 109.1 feet. Barker was at 101.4 feet and was expected to fall to 101.3, three feet less than was predicted yesterday (when the corps predicted it would crest at 104 to 104.5 feet). This is very good news for the people living to the west of Barker reservoir.
Since homes closest to the reservoir (on the lowest ground) flood first, and homes further west flood if and when the water rises further, the corps predicted that since the rain event is pretty much over if a homeowner west of the reservoir doesn’t have water in their home now, “the likelihood is it probably won’t get in your home.” The exception is homes where the water is very close to entering the house; those homes may still be in danger of flooding. The release, the corps pointed out, is designed to protect the homes near the reservoir from flooding.
Many people have asked how to determine their home’s elevation. You can go on either the flood control district’s website at www.HCFCD.org or www.readyharris.org. ReadyHarris may be more reliable, since the volume of traffic has caused the flood control district’s website to crash intermittently. I used www.distancesto.com (at the suggestion of Ed Sarlls.)
To watch the Army Corps of Engineers Update, click here: https://www.pscp.tv/ReadyHarris/1LyxBEEaLVyJN?
Supplies needed
As of this morning, the only shelter in our area that needed donations was Powerhouse Church at 1818 Katyland Dr, Katy, TX 77493. They need large plastic storage bins. They have plenty of food and other donations.
The ourpouring of help, from both volunteers and people donating needed items, has been overwhelming. The people of Katy and Cypress have, as always, shown their best nature in a crisis and reached out to help their neighbors in need. The people who live here are our greatest asset and are the biggest reason our area is such a great place to live.
Cypress
Cypress Creek levels have been dropping. This should be good news for people in Blackhorse Ranch, Cypress Creek Lakes, Bridgeland and Towne Lake. The only house flooding that has been reported to us occurred in Blackhorse Ranch.
Further Updates
As we near the end of the flooding stage of Harvey, we will switch our attention to the clean-up and the things people need to do to get their lives and property back in order. These updates will decrease in frequency and will consist largely of information about resources people can use to aid in recovery, as well as any information we get about scams or other things to avoid. I hope these updates have been helpful to you and have at least kept you informed about what was going on during a very tough time for everyone.
Reliable information
For information you can rely on, check with the county’s emergency management web site at: http://readyharris.org/
Other good sources of information include:
*Centerpoint’s live power outage tracker: http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/
*Harris County flood warning system: https://www.harriscountyfws.org/
*Transtar’s high water tracker for the roadways: www.traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/#highwater
*TxDOT’s list of closed and flooded roadwasys: www.drivetexas.org
Please take every precaution to make sure that you and your family are safe.
Keep safe while we ride this storm out and be ready to begin our recovery efforts after the storm is over.
God bless Texas!
Mike Schofield
State Representative
House District 132
Katy & Cypress