HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a disaster declaration for Harris County Thursday and called for mandatory evacuations for residents living closest to the banks of the East Fork of the San Jacinto River in response to ongoing flooding and heavy rainfall north of Harris County that is now making its ways south along the river.
The Harris County of Homeland Security & Emergency Management has also increased its activation to Level II High Readiness to activate additional partners and monitor the ongoing severe weather threat, officials said.
“We’ve had a tough week, but we are going to get through the next few days together,” Hidalgo is quoted saying in a news release. “At this time, folks in the impacted area should either prepare to stay where they are for the next two to three days or leave.”
Hidalgo said county officials have been in touch with all of its partners, including Mayor John Whitmire, Judge Mark Keough in Montgomery County, state officials, first responders and more. Hidalgo said the current focus is on the response but once the immediate threat passes, recovery will begin.
County residents (including those with pets) can stay in the following shelters:
- Philippians New Faith Baptist Church (capacity 20): 7858 Agus St., Houston, TX 77028
- Leon Grayson Community Center: 13828 Corpus Christi St., Houston, TX 77015
- Calvary Baptist Church: 816 N. Blaire Ave., Cleveland, TX 77327
- Greenhouse International Church: 200 W. Greens Rd., Houston, TX 77067
For the latest weather updates and shelter information, go to www.readyharris.org.
