LIVE BLOG: Houston area assesses wind, flooding damage from Nicholas

10:30 p.m. - Residents pick up downed trees, other debris after Hurricane Nicholas

6:30 p.m. - Nicholas made landfall in Sargent 18 hours ago. Residents begin cleaning up flood damage

6:26 p.m. - Residents in Galveston clean up debris and wait for power to be restored at Nicholas

6:10 p.m. - Close community in Galveston County help each other after Tropical Storm Nicholas’ aftermath

5:20 p.m. - Tropical Storm Nicholas causes flooding and wind damage in Freeport, Brazoria County

11:29 a.m. - CenterPoint working to restore power

HOUSTON – Brad TunTunjian, the Vice President of Distribution Operations and Service Delivery at CenterPoint, said Tuesday nearly 450,000 customers are without power in the Houston area.

11:26 a.m. - Assessing the damage in the Spring area

A huge tree fell through a family’s home in Spring Tuesday morning. The homeowner said it sounded similar to a “bomb” or “earthquake.”

9:30 a.m. Fort Bend County Judge KP George shares update after Nicholas blows through area

The judge said there was a great effort of coordination among partners across the county and there was relief from the outcome of the storm.

Watch the full news conference here as soon as it can be processed by the KPRC 2 staff.

9:15 a.m. - Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo provides update after Nicholas blasts through southeast Texas

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo provided an update on the county’s response to Tropical Storm Nicholas.

Hidalgo said several people are still without power and crews are expected to go out and help later on Tuesday. Hidalgo stressed the importance of safety and not touching power lines that are down. While there is still debris on the roads, Hidalgo has asked drivers to stay

off the road for safety reasons.

8:30 a.m. - Houston Mayor shares update after Tropical Storm Nicholas

7:23 a.m. - Nicholas damages parts of Surfside

Surfside has experienced a lot of damage due to Nicholas’ impact.

7:20 a.m. - Severe storm damage in areas of Matagorda

A Matagorda gas station has severe damage due to Nicholas.

7:18 a.m. - Wind damage and flooding from Nicholas in Brazoria County

There is lots of damage and flooding in Brazoria due to Nicholas.

7:12 a.m. - High winds down tree branches in northwest Houston

Winds from Nicholas are downing tree branches in the Houston area.

7 a.m. - Slick roads in Baytown

Drivers have been asked to stay home in Baytown as rain causes the roads to be slick.

4:00 a.m. - Nicholas now a tropical storm

Tropical Storm Nicholas is bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to the Houston area with winds at 70 mph.

2:30 a.m. - Pearland issues shelter in place for residents, staff

The city of Pearland issued a shelter in place for all residents and staff starting at 2:30 p.m. due to Hurricane Nicholas. Officials reported hurricane winds over 40 mph.

1 a.m. - Hurricane Nicholas makes landfall

The category 1 hurricane made landfall near Sargent in Matagorda County around 1 a.m.

11:50 p.m. - Galveston Ferry suspends operations

The Galveston Ferry has suspended operations for the time being.

10 p.m. - Hurricane Nicholas: Storm upgraded to Category 1

Tropical Storm Nicholas has upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as of 10 p.m. Gusts of 75 mph have been recorded.

The storm has also changed direction and that could impact the future strength. Since the last update “Nicholas” has increased forward movement by 7 mph to now 12 mph and it is now headed north.

Click here for a further explanation of what that means.

9:17 p.m. Galveston County authorities share an update on situation in area

9 p.m. - Harris County Lina Hidalgo provides an update on Tropical Storm Nicholas

Hidalgo asked residents to stay vigilant during the storm and said sustained winds of 30-40 mph could be a possible threat to the area. She said tonight is not a safe time to be out and to stay home until the storm passes and if you’re not home, do not try to drive through flooded roads.

Even if you don’t see rain in your area, Hidalgo said to still stay put as roads may be flooded in other areas.

She said only to call 911 for true emergencies.

On Tuesday, the county will check for any damage or impacts from the storm and check road conditions before heading outside. County officials will continue to monitor overnight as the storm passes through.

7:30 p.m. - Mayor Turner, local officials provide an update on TS Nicholas

Mayor Turner and other local officials provided an update on Tropical Storm Nicholas as it moves into our area.

Turner encouraged Houstonians to stay home and off roads during the storm. He added that some areas are expecting anywhere between four to seven inches of rain overnight.

6:45 p.m. - Strong winds, heavy rain expected in Brazoria County

Surfside Beach is starting to see strong winds and rain as Tropical Storm Nicholas moves in.

6:39 p.m. - Addicks and Barker Reservoirs empty ahead of TS Nicholas

With all of the rain we are expected to get, the Army Corps of Engineers made the call between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday to close the floodgate at Addicks and the Barker Reservoir in preparation to absorb the rainfall from Tropical Storm Nicholas.

6:29 p.m. - Drivers should avoid flooded underpasses.

Flooded underpasses are another issue. Some drivers attempt to pass through underpasses not realizing how deep the water is. On Monday, crews across Houston and Harris County pre-set barriers in dozens of spots that are prone to flooding.

6:09 p.m. - Fort Bend County authorities discuss Nicholas as area preps for heavy rains, flooding

4:15 p.m. - METRO will suspend light rail and bus service starting this evening.

The last trips for METRORail and local bus service will be at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 14, METRO will monitor weather conditions before resuming service.

• MORE INFORMATION: Beyond schools - These are closures of note across the Houston area as Nicholas moves in

2:30 p.m. - City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department has suspended services for Tuesday, Sept. 14

1:30 p.m. - Houston Fire Department reminding residents to be prepared, avoid high water on roadways as Tropical Storm Nicholas moves inland

11:31 a.m. - Galveston prepping for TS Nicholas

Galveston residents and officials are making preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Nicholas.

11:26 a.m. - Flooding a concern for Fort Bend County as TS Nicholas set to approach

Flooding is a concern for many Fort Bend County residents as Tropical Storm Nicholas is set to approach.

8:30 a.m. - Mayor Turner, officials discuss weather, preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Nicholas at Houston Emergency Center

Officials said a bulk of the rain is going to come Monday night and Tuesday morning as TS Nicholas approaches the Texas coast. Officials said the storm appears to be moving quicker. Heavy downpours are moving in Monday morning, but there may not be as much flooding today. Between noon and 6 p.m., officials said we are expected to be “okay.” Morning rush hours Tuesday may be difficult, so drivers are urged to be careful.

7:30 a.m. - Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner provides update

Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner said there will be a high chance of significant flooding Monday night and Tuesday morning. Lindner said he is concerned with the bayous and creeks as the rain continues to pour down. Street flooding is expected tonight. Lindner suggests drivers to stay where they are Tuesday morning.

6:36 a.m. - Judge Lina Hidalgo activates Harris County OEM

Judge Hidalgo said she and Gov. Abbott have been in contact about preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Nicholas. Hidalgo warned that it doesn’t take a Category 5 hurricane to cause serious flooding in Harris County.

6:35 a.m. - Houston areas preparing for Tropical Storm Nicholas

Areas across Houston are prepping for Tropical Storm Nicholas.

6:33 a.m. - Galveston County storm preparations underway

Galveston County officials are prepping ahead of Tropical Storm Nicholas.

6:30 a.m. - Harris County preparing for flooding as Tropical Storm Nicholas approaches

Harris County officials are preparing for flooding as Tropical Storms Nicholas prepares to make its approach.