What you need to know
Releases have increased to 66,100 cubic feet per second as of 11:30 a.m. May 2, according to the San Jacinto River Authority.
According to the Harris County Flood Control District, the last record for a dam release was set in 2017 following Hurricane Harvey, during which dam water release peaked at 79,100 cfs and lake levels reached 206.2 feet.
In Montgomery County, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is recommending evacuation to residents downstream.
"All residents downstream along the West Fork of the San Jacinto river should immediately begin evacuating to higher ground," officials said in a Facebook post at 11:30 a.m. May 2.
Houston City Council member Fred Flickinger urged residents to stay off roadways.
"Stay weather aware and avoid roadways, if possible, during rain events," Flickinger said in a news release. "It only takes 6 inches of water to move a car."
By the numbers
According to the San Jacinto River Authority, water levels at the West Fork of the San Jacinto River near Porter are currently at 75.79 feet but are forecasted to rise as high as 90.9 feet by 10 a.m. May 4. Major flooding for the area would trigger at 92 feet.
Water levels at the West Fork of San Jacinto River near Humble are currently at 49.6 feet but are projected to rise as high as 61.1 feet, SJRA data shows. Major flooding for the area would trigger at 52.3 feet.
At the East Fork of the San Jacinto River near New Coney, water levels have risen to 65.8 feet but are projected to rise as high as 78 feet by May 4, SJRA data shows. Major flooding in the area would trigger at 69 feet.
Water levels at Lake Houston have risen to 44.92 feet, according to the Harris County Flood Control District.
More than 7.5 inches of rain has fallen near the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston Parkway north of Atascocita since 3 a.m. May 2, according to HCFCD data. North of Humble, about 4.32 inches of rain have fallen since 3 a.m.
What else?
The Houston Police Department also announced the closure of Lake Houston at 11:54 a.m. May 2.
"Due to the ongoing excessive rainfall and associated debris in this area, HPD Lake Patrol is closing Lake Houston," HPD officials said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Stay tuned
A number of school districts announced delays the morning of May 2 due to the weather moving through the area, including Humble ISD. Officials with Kingwood High School said students were released at 11:30 a.m. due to sewage backup caused by excessive rainfall.
Residents in flood prone areas are requested to take caution the rest of the day and monitor rainfall and flooding outlooks.
