The State of Texas has been soaked by record-shattering rainfall and disastrous floods, and now a tropical depression moving in to the eastern part of the state threatens a catastrophic situation. The waterlogged ground and already full rivers cannot absorb a significant rainfall, and 6 to 10 inches are predicted for Houston and surrounding counties. The lack of absorbancy will mean that water will rise immediately, making flash flooding a grave danger, and not just in low lying areas. The storm is expected to move into the area in the next 24 hours, and to continue through the weekend.
The National Weather Service in Houston has warned that "This will obviously lead to a dangerous flood situation," and Harris County Emergency Management has said that "Bayous and rivers could go out of banks quickly creating a serious threat to life and property." It is the speed with which danger could develop and the fact that the waterlogged ground may cause floods to extend into areas outside of flood zones that has officials concerned. Additionally, the heaviest rains are likely to fall on Tuesday night through Wednesday, and silently rising water in the night is a particularly hazardous situation.
NOAA has also issued a tidal flooding alert for low lying coastal areas, as tides could be 2 to 3 feet above normal Tuesday night through Wednesday.
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