The Clear Lake area faces a Level 1 flood threat as Hurricane Polo's remnants push rain into Southeast Texas starting late Thursday, Oct. 1. Gov. Greg Abbott activated more than 1,900 state emergency responders ahead of the storm.
Abbott announced the mobilization at a Sept. 28 briefing at the State Operations Center in Austin, according to a governor's office press release. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) activated additional resources, and the State Operations Center began round-the-clock operations at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The state has positioned more than 1,500 pieces of equipment across Texas, including swift-water rescue boats, Black Hawk helicopters, high-water vehicles and emergency medical teams with ambulances.
What the Clear Lake area can expect
The Clear Lake area's Level 1 flood designation comes from KHOU 11 meteorologist Chita Craft. Western Harris County carries a higher Level 2 designation.
The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday, Sept. 30, that the main rain window has narrowed to late Thursday afternoon through Friday. Most of Southeast Texas should see 1 to 3 inches during that stretch. Along the coast, 7-day totals could reach 4 to 6 inches if a second round of tropical moisture arrives over the weekend into early next week.
Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California on Tuesday, Sept. 29, as a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds before dissipating over northwestern Mexico that night, the Houston Chronicle reported. Moisture from the storm's remnants, combined with an approaching low-pressure system, is driving the Texas flood threat, according to the National Weather Service.
Repeated storms could cause street flooding and quickly raise water levels in creeks and bayous, though they are not expected to exceed their banks, the Chronicle reported. Flooding in underpasses and low water crossings could be life-threatening.
State resources on standby
Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer said 100 Guard members have deployed, with 400 more on standby. Three Black Hawk helicopters equipped with hoists and rescue swimmers are available, along with 31 military vehicles for high-water rescues, CW39 reported.
The situation is serious. TDEM Chief Nim Kidd said boat teams are already stationed across West Texas and the Panhandle. "We lose too many lives and people trying to drive through low water in their vehicles," Kidd said at the Sept. 28 briefing.
The Texas Department of Transportation has 1,000 pieces of equipment and 1,200 personnel engaged in storm preparation, according to TxDOT Deputy Executive Director Brandye Hendrickson.
How to prepare
Abbott urged residents to monitor local forecasts, avoid flooded roadways and follow the "Turn Around, Don't Drown" rule.
Residents can check road conditions at DriveTexas.org, find flood information at TexasFlood.org and access emergency preparedness resources at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
No statements from Friendswood, Webster, Seabrook, Nassau Bay or Clear Lake Shores emergency agencies were available as of Wednesday, Sept. 30.
