Some Houston streets barricaded to prepare for possible flooding

HOUSTON – The City of Houston is prepping for yet another storm by pre-staging barricades at intersections prone to flooding.

Crews set down barricades Friday evening at 50 intersections across Houston, in anticipation of heavy rainfall.

“We’re looking at a very tricky forecast,” said Francisco Sanchez of the Harris County Office of Emergency Management. “On the lower end two to four inches widespread and on the high end up to eight inches in isolated areas.”

“We need to make an effort in this region for people not to drive in high water,” said Jeff Lindner of the Harris County Flood Control District.  “We had several fatalities last time in vehicles and we need to try as best we can to avoid getting into that high water.”

The Houston Fire Department is also pre-staging high water rescue vehicles and boats across the city.

Due to the threat of severe weather over the weekend, the city of Houston is deploying barricades to prevent drivers from entering high water.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through 7 a.m. Sunday.  The forecast calls for 2-3 inches of rain and there is potential for street and bayou flooding.

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The piano still worked even though it sat in flood water two weeks ago. The walls in Frank Inselbuch's home are stripped to the studs. He was trying to keep mold and mildew at a minimum. Furniture sat on top of the kitchen table in case it floods again. The home on Cadman Court in Meyerland has flooded three times in less than a year. That included just days after it was fixed from the last flood. That added up to a lot of insurance claims. 

"Through Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricane Ike, Memorial Day Flood, and this Tax Day Flood, it will be over $1 million. It's been $750,000 to $800,000 so far," Inselbuch said.

He said he hoped to raise his entire home up about five feet and above the persistent floods. He said this trauma is taking a toll on his family. 

"For me it's frustrating and it's aggravating. The financial impact is one thing. It's the tremendous disruption to your life and trying to start a business, trying to raise children," Inselbuch said.

Just down the street, clothes still covered some lawns and soaked sheetrock sat on the curb outside some homes. 

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he was accelerating the cleanup in advance of the possible weekend storms. 

"City emergency operations personnel are keeping a close watch on the approaching weather," Turner said. "We hope this is nothing more than some strong storms that our systems can handle but there is some indication that it could be something more severe. We are getting ready just in case and want Houstonians to also be prepared. Don't become the next flood related fatality. Turn around, don't drown."

The Houston Fire Department is pre-staging high-water rescue vehicles, evacuation and rescue boats around the city.

The mayor also said city workers were putting barricades out at 38 low lying streets and underpasses throughout the city:

1. Barker Cypress @ Saums
2. Barker Cypress @ Morton
3. Washington Ave. @ Hempstead
4. Allen Pkwy. @ Waugh
5. Memorial @ Waugh
6. Allen Pkwy. @ Montrose Blvd.
7. Allen Pkway. @ Roch
8. Memorial @ Montrose Blvd.
9. Allen Pkwy. @ Bagby
10. Center St. @ Houston Ave.
11. Houston Ave. @ Lubbock
12. Houston Ave. @ Weber
13. Houston Ave. @ White Oak Drive
14. White Oak Drive @ Usener
15. White Oak Drive @ Sabine
16. White Oak @ Morrison
17. Studewood @ Voight
18. Studewood @ I-10
19. North Main @ Burnett     
20. North @ North Main
21. Crosstimbers @ I-45 N.
22. Greens @ Greenspoint
23. I-45 N. @ Greens Rd.
24. Greens Rd. @ Hardy Toll Rd.
25. Franklin @ Commerce
26. N. of Franklin at Milam
27. Harrisburg @ E. of Dowling
28. Jensen @ Bennington
29. Bennington @ I-59 N.
30. Crosstimbers @ I-45 N.
31. E. Jensen @ S. of Miles
32. Jensen near 610 Loop
33. Mesa near Highway 90
34. Galveston Rd. @ S. of Howard
35. Lawndale @ Braes Bayou
36. 9600 Lawndale @ E. of Goodyear Dr.
37. 7000 Main St. @ Holcombe N. of Pressler St.
38. 7000 Fannin @ Holcombe N. of S. Braeswood

The City of Houston Emergency Operations Centers will move to Level III (Increased Readiness) at 4 p.m. Friday and will remain activated in support of public safety operations as needed.  

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