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FORT BEND COUNTY SEES SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT OVERNIGHT MONITORING FUTURE FORECASTS

Fort Bend County, TX – Light showers during the night do not appear to have significantly increased the water levels in Fort Bend County.  The good news is that the Brazos River is no longer rising at the Richmond gage.  However it is predicted that the flood waters will continue to rise downstream along the Fort Bend/Brazoria county-line.  Brazoria County has issued mandatory evacuations in certain areas along the Brazos.   Flood waters are receding in Fort Bend County, but there are still neighborhoods that are not accessible and many local streets that are impassable.  Residents are reminded to stay out of areas with standing water as there are a variety of hazards that can cause illness or injury including snakes, fire ants, bacteria and hidden debris.

Yesterday, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court authorized an extension of the Local State of Disaster Declaration through June 17, 2016.  A local declaration ensures the response and recovery aspects of the emergency operations plan have been activated, and local resources are being utilized to the fullest extent possible.

“Over the weekend, we expect the mission of the Office of Emergency Management to change from response to recovery, “ said Judge Hebert .  “As water levels recede we will be able to get into these inundated areas and assess the damage.”

The US Army Corps of Engineers Flood Program is working as intended. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Water Resources – Fort Worth District said,   “We regulate 78% of the Brazos River.  All projects are functioning as designed.  There is still significant flood storage capacity  in the corps reservoirs.  We do not anticipate releasing flood storage into the Brazos River from the corps reservoirs to cause additional flooding.  Significant flooding seen on the Brazos River is primarily the result of rainfall that has fallen on the unregulated portion of the basin below the Corps of Engineers Reservoirs.”   Additional information can be found at the ”Upstream Reservoir Levels and Releases” link at www.fortbendcountytx.gov/riverlevels.

National Weather Service Forecasts predict more rain in the area through Monday, with the chance of rain decreasing some each day.  Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the effects of the potential rain and urges residents to be aware of possible street flooding due to potential localized downpours.

The flood is not over for many Fort Bend County residents who are unable to enter their homes to begin recovery.  Residents are urged to continue monitoring  www.fbcoem.org  for updates on road closures and the most current flood information.  Do not drive around barricades or wade into flooded roadways.  Respect the instruction of law enforcement so emergency resources are not redirected away from safety and protection of your neighbors and their property.

If residents have questions or concerns, they should contact the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management by calling 281-342-6185.

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**Please visit http://www.fortbendcountynews.info for more information pertaining to local events and updates.**