Hurricane Harvey: Water Rising In Houston As Rain Pounds Gulf Coast

HOUSTON, TX — Hours after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Rockport, flooding and damage from high winds began to take a toll.

Tropical storm and hurricane warnings are still in effect for residents in the Galveston area, and some evacuations are still in progress.

A flash flood warning remains in effect for Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Washington, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda and Wharton counties until 4:45 p.m. Saturday. (Want to get daily updates about Hurricane Harvey and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

A flash flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday evening for Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, Washington and Wharton counties.

Street flooding in some areas of Houston has already begun, with some areas expected to be impassable within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Mayde Creek in west Harris County has risen significantly, and may overflow its banks later today.

The heavy rain overnight dropped as much as six inches of rain in the area before 9 a.m.

Overall, the Houston region recorded about 16 inches of rain since Harvey made landfall, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

According to the Harris County Flood Control District, gauges on area bayous recorded rain amounts of nearly 5 inches in some cases.

Taylor’s Bayou and Little Cedar Bayou in south Harris County collected more than 5 inches of rain, while gauges at the San Jacinto River in Kingwood recorded 5 inches of rainfall, all within the first few hours.

RELATED: Hurricane Harvey: County Leaders Urge Calm In The Face Of The Storm

At a press conference on Friday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said Hurricane Harvey would be rainmaker and urged residents in remain calm and stay inside until the rain passes.

Houston is on what is called “the dirty side” of Harvey, according to KHOU, which means rain will at times be non-stop with the potential of significant flooding.

The remnants of Harvey are expected to continue to impact the Houston area until at least Wednesday.

Rainfall totals in the Houston area are projected at between 15-30 this week.

Image Bryan Kirk/Patch Staff

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