A flood map showed where in Harris County, Texas, residents should evacuate as heavy rain caused major flooding along the Trinity River on Tuesday night.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a voluntary call for evacuation for the Idlewild and Idle Glen subdivisions, as well as any homes along the river in the Commons of Lake Tuesday, after Trinity River was expected to undergo "significant and rapid overnight flooding" caused by storms over the weekend, according to a press release from Ready Harris, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office for Harris County.
The weekend storm produced dangerous flash floods near Galveston, Texas.
Newsweek reached out to Ready Harris by email for comment.
As of Wednesday morning, Trinity River in Texas was experiencing major flooding, prompting National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists to issue a flood warning for the area.
"At 27.0 feet, Moderate lowland flooding begins as roads into several outlying communities above Liberty are closed with residents in 5 or 6 subdivisions cut off if not evacuated," the NWS report said, adding that as of Wednesday morning the river was already at 29 feet.
Meteorologists expected to crest at more than 30 feet by early Friday morning before waters will begin to recede.
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Hidalgo urged residents in the area to stay put if they were already witnessing high water near their homes so that they didn't have to drive through it.
"Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas," the NWS warning said. "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."
The press release warned that driving in the area would be "extremely dangerous," as FM 1485 was expected to be submerged under several feet of water. Roads south of FM 1485 also will be affected, the press release said, including Spalding, Green, Jett and Case.
Officials anticipated that the flooded river would resemble street flooding last seen during Tropical Storm Imelda in 2019.
"We're already seeing water from the river coming up onto land, and by midnight the neighborhoods near the East Fork of the San Jacinto River could see waist deep or even chest deep water," Hidalgo said in her Tuesday warning. "If you live in these areas and can evacuate, please do so. If you can't, prepare to stay where you are for the next 24-36 hours and do not try to drive through high water."
Residents living in low-lying subdivisions near the river such as Northwood Country Estates, River Terrace, Cypress Point, Kingwood Area or the Commons of Lake Houston were urged to remain in place until water recedes.
Evacuating residents could stay at the Leon Grayson / Baldree Community Center if needed.
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
