Storms soak Houston for second consecutive day

Severe weather alerts issued for much of SE Texas

HOUSTON – The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Food Watch until Wednesday morning for most of Southeast Texas as driving rain pounded our area for the second consecutive day.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Wednesday for Austin, Brazoria, Brazoria Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Waller, Walker, Washington and Wharton counties.

Heavy and persistent storms resulted in an average rainfall of 3-4.5 inches across the northern and western parts of Harris County, with 1.5-2.5 inches in central Harris County, according to the Harris County Flood Control District.

HCFCD says South Mayde Creek is out of banks in western Harris County near Greenhouse Road and I-10, with minor flooding of Cullen Park between Greenhouse and Barker Cypress. Langham, Bear, Cypress, Little Cypress and Willow creeks in northwest and north Harris County are high but not out of banks.

Heavy rain left high water at the Saums and Greenhouse Drive intersection causing a mess for drivers. Houston police officers were forced to close access to Saums south of Greenhouse, but Saums has reopened. Drivers say drainage is always a concern on Saums when we get these soaking rains.

Bayous and creeks throughout Harris County will continue to rise as stormwater runoff drains into them.

Flight delays starting adding up at both of Houston's airports Tuesday morning as the strong storm arrived. At Hobby Airport, there were at least 17 delayed flights. At Bush Intercontinental Airport there were a handful of delayed flights, as well as a ground stop in place for a short time while the worst of the weather moved through.

Passengers picking up friends were stuck just waiting for the weather to clear.

A Tornado Warning for Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery and Montgomery counties expired at 7:30 a.m.

Wet Monday

Earlier Monday afternoon, tornado warnings were issued for multiple counties in our area. Those warnings eventually expired.

Local 2 meteorologist Britta Merwin says they were doppler-indicated tornado warnings, which means there was not a conformed tornado on the ground.

The rain caused major street flooding in areas around town. The Westpark Tollway at the Grand Parkway was a particularly bad spot where multiple cars stalled in the high water.

"It is deep in the middle. Six or seven cars have gotten stuck. I have never seen a car and not expecting to see this. Maybe a foot or two. Wasn't expecting this," said one motorist.

Deputies had to close off the road.

The NWS says Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado. This dangerous storm was located over Cumings, or near richmond, and moving northeast at 20 mph.

At around 4:15 p.m., Katy ISD lifted the shelter-in-place for schools that hadn't already dismissed.

Check the interactive radar here.

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