The cities of Humble and Houston are preparing resources for Lake Houston area residents as flooding from Hurricane Harvey pummels the area and officials plan to release water from the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston.
Houston city council member Dave Martin urged residents to go indoors and stay indoors because there is a potential for Kingwood Drive to be completely inundated with water, he said.
"Leaving your home at this time is not advisable," Martin said in a statement. "The Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, and the United States Coast Guard are in the area assisting and responding to all calls. For the safety of our first responders please seek shelter immediately."
The city of Houston has created the Kingwood Citizen Line, which is open and can be reached at 832-395-1820.
Several shelters are also available in the area, according to Humble and Houston officials, including:
St. Mary's Catholic Church
527 S. Houston Avenue, Humble
281-446-8211
First United Methodist Church Humble
800 E. Main Street, Humble
281-446-2332
Words of Life Church
7811 FM 1960, Humble
281-852-3630
M.O. Campbell Education Center
1865 Aldine Bender, Houston
281-985-6110
The San Jacinto River Authority began releasing more than 73,000 cubic feet per second at 1 a.m., Humble City Manager Jason Stuebe said. Meanwhile, Lake Houston's current level is 48.75 feet and officials are releasing more than 158,800 cubic feet per second, said Jessica Beemer, North Sector Manager for the office of Houston City Council Member Dave Martin. .
The West Fork San Jacinto River, which is located near Hwy. 59, is a source of flooding for the Lake Houston area because sits at the base of twelve tributaries, Beemer said.
The West Fork San Jacinto River could create flooding that causes the closure of Hwy. 59 today and tomorrow, Stuebe said.
"The gauge at Hwy. 59 and the San Jacinto River is currently at 62 feet—they're forecasting it to get to 65.5 feet," he said. "At this point it could be a little bit higher. We're preparing that it will be a little bit higher. People need to understand that the 1994 flood the record was set at 67.3 feet and we're already at 62 feet. We're headed toward a possible record event."