HOUSTON – The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) activated the Emergency Operations Center, located at the Houston Emergency Center, at 1:00am this morning due to Flash Flooding occurring throughout the area. Initially staffed by representatives from the Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, Public Works & Engineering Department, and Office of Emergency Management, the City’s EOC is the primary coordination point for emergency response in Houston. Flash floodings are one of the common causes of home water disasters that require outside support for those who need it.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has placed the City of Houston under multiple Flash Flood Warnings as training thunderstorms are creating dangerous conditions throughout the area.
What Houston Residents Can Do
Houston residents should stay up-to-date on severe weather conditions, especially as they determine their morning commutes.
This includes:
- Watching or listening to local Television and Radio
- Visiting houstonemergency.org for the latest from the City
- Signing up for AlertHouston to receive updates form the City during periods of severe weather.
- Tuning their NOAA Weather Radios to the local channel for information directly from the National Weather Service
Residents should also be prepared for delays in their commute or workplace/school closures, especially if heavy rain continues into the morning rush hour:
- Check with employers about the possibility of working from home, or having a delayed start
- Check with schools, summer camps, daycare centers on their status before leaving home
- Check houstontranstar.org for the latest information on traffic conditions on regular routes
- Be prepared for additional traffic as high water will likely remain through the day.
If you must travel, please remember the following:
- Never drive through areas of high water.
- Never drive around barricades or law enforcement officers that are blocking roadways
- Avoid travel during periods of heavy rain, as it can obscure the roadway in front of you
- If you encounter an area of high water, turn around and find an alternate route
- If you find yourself trapped in rising water, immediately exit your vehicle and seek higher ground.
Reporting Damage or Flooding
Houston residents can report storm impacts to the City by calling 3-1-1 (713.837.0311), online at houston311.org, or through the Houston 311 mobile app for smartphones.
This includes:
- Street or building flooding
- Debris or Trees in a City street
- Displaced manhole covers
The City of Houston maintains a website with links to the latest information on power outages, school closures, city service interruptions and weather at houstonemergency.org. Additional updates will be provided through the OEM social media outlets on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor.