In the wake of severe weather conditions in the Harris County area, Judge Lina Hidalgo has declared a mandatory evacuation for the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, urging residents to take immediate action before nightfall. According to Click2Houston, the evacuation comes as a response to the river nearing 78 feet above sea level, which is just a few feet short of the catastrophic Hurricane Harvey water levels.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Judge Hidalgo has stated, "It means there's an imminent threat," signaling an upgrade in the emergency management alert to level 1, indicating maximum readiness. Floodwaters are expected to rise significantly, and residents have been cautioned to clear out while daylight permits. FOX26 Houston reported that, with the fall of night, rescue operations would face compounded complexities, complicating further the first responders' efforts to conduct missions.
The East Fork area is not the only one affected. In contrast, a shelter in place advisory has been issued for Kingwood and surrounding areas, where residents are advised to remain in their homes for two to three days or evacuate as soon as possible. Some, like Kingwood resident Andrew Coleman, have decided to take no chances, stating to FOX26 Houston, "Due to Harvey, it kind of scared me. [I] don’t want to have another issue again to where a lot of trauma there. To avoid these issues I kind of want to get out as fast as possible and avoid it potentially worst issue compared to what it is now."
Moreover, larger efforts are underway across Houston, as Mayor John Whitmire indicates the city's readiness, with first responders, rescue boats, and divers on standby. "We're monitoring the situation but at this point, we're at the mercy of the weather we're doing everything we can possible," Whitmire told FOX26 Houston. Not being an exception to the devastation, areas along the West Fork of the river will likely see residents trapped in their homes due to rising floodwaters.
Adding to the distress, Center Point Energy has informed Judge Hidalgo that regions northwest of Houston near the Spring area may experience power outages lasting 24 to 36 hours due to wind damage. Assistance and information on active shelters for evacuees are available, and for those needing immediate evacuation support, contacting 911 remains the primary directive.
