When providing updates on the flooding situation in the Katy area Tuesday, the Willowfork Fire Department reported it had rescued more than 300 residents and animals since 7:46 p.m. Sunday. That was when the department first saw Buffalo Bayou at high water levels. Until Katy ISD opened Cinco Ranch High School as a shelter Monday, Willowfork Fire Stations No. 1 and 2 were used to house more than 75 people and pets. Willowfork Fire Department is part of Fort Bend County Emergency Services District No. 2. The department is also using boats provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife and by private individuals. The community donated other resources to Fire Stations No. 1 and 2, including food, drinks and socks. “The show of support our community has provided to the fire and [emergency medical services] crews has an immeasurable effect on the [morale] to all our first responders in a time of high stress,” Willowfork Fire Chief Billy Williams said. Officials advise eschewing online rumor mill Both Willowfork Fire and Harris County Emergency Services District No. 48 said the flood waters are receding in much of the Katy area. Indeed, the Harris County Flood Warning System measured 24-hour rainfall decreases around Katy on Tuesday. But Lt. Simon VanDyk, ESD 48’s public information officer, said one problem facing the district is rumors both in neighborhoods and on social media. He contradicted what he said was an assumption that the Barker Reservoir, which has exceeded its danger levels despite efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Harris County Flood Control District to open the gates, cannot reach 108 feet deep. “That’s physically impossible,” VanDyk said. “The maximum depth of the reservoir is only 104 feet, and at that point, the excess water would go out through the spillway towards FM 1093, away from the Katy area.” Meteorologist Jeff Lindner with the Harris County Flood Control District said roughly 2,500 homes near the Addicks Reservoir are estimated to be flooded, while roughly 670 near the Barker Reservoir may be flooded. But neither Lindner nor VanDyk said this represented a failure of the dams, and VanDyk recommended following ESD No. 48 on Facebook and Twitter for updates.