Hurricane Harvey brings an extreme threat to life and property, and the agency is recommending people prepare for category 3 storm winds until Monday. Simon VanDyk, public information officer for Harris County Emergency Services District No. 48, said his office's greatest concern for the Katy area is potentially life-threatening waters after the storm makes landfall near Corpus Christi.
“If [that amount of rain] occurs it has the potential to cause flooding far beyond what we had during the tax day floods of 2016, and people may find roads flooding that are normally not an issue,” VanDyk said.
VanDyk recommended that Katy area residents avoid the following roadways and intersections if possible:
Timothy Tyler, Katy Police Department assistant chief, added that Avenue D in Katy is designed to hold water but that drivers should avoid it.
“I ask that motorist[s] please do not attempt to drive into high water and become [a] victim of that water,” Tyler said. “If you are driving in water to get home, drive slow so that you do not push wakes of water into people’s residences.”
VanDyk recommended that residents be prepared by ensuring that they have the following items available.
- NOAA weather radio and batteries
- Flashlight and batteries
- Portable power packs or batteries for electronics
- Extra eye glasses and/or contacts
- Bottled water
- Nonperishable food
- Clothing and bedding
- First aid kit, medications and prescriptions
- Special products for infants, the elderly and medically fragile family members
- Pet food, bedding and medication for pets
- Cash and credit cards
- Photo ID, important documents and records
Readers can keep an eye on www.communityimpact.com for updates regarding Hurricane Harvey and municipal emergency efforts. Additional information is available through ESD No. 48’s Facebook page.
