Humble, New Caney ISDs to resume normal operations May 6 as Lake Houston-area floodwaters recede

While a flood watch remains in effect through the evening of May 5, data shows water levels in the Lake Houston area are continuing to recede and local school districts are planning to reopen for classes May 6.

Current situation

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, both the east and west forks of the San Jacinto River near Porter, Humble and New Caney have crested or reached their peak, and have begun to recede.

• Releases at the Lake Conroe Dam were at 16,105 cubic feet per second as of 2:44 a.m. May 5, according to the San Jacinto River Authority.
• As of 3:45 p.m. May 5, water levels at the West Fork of the San Jacinto River near Porter are at 80.34 feet—down from its crest of 89.13 feet observed at 3:45 a.m. May 4 and below the flood stage of 81 feet.
• As of 4:30 p.m. May 5, water levels at the West Fork of the San Jacinto River near Humble are at 55.54 feet—down from its crest of 58.8 feet observed at 3:15 p.m. May 4, but still above the flood stage of 49.3 feet.
• As of 4:01 p.m. May 5, water levels at the East Fork of the San Jacinto River near New Caney are at 68.19 feet—down from its crest of 77.75 feet observed at midnight May 4, but still above the flood stage of 58 feet.
• As of 4:36 p.m. May 5, water levels at Lake Houston have dropped to 46.57 feet—down from its peak of 48.45 feet observed at 7 a.m. May 4, according to the Harris County Flood Warning System.

Meanwhile, according to a May 5 Facebook post from the city of Houston Office of Emergency Management, the bridge over West Lake Houston Parkway is now open, while the underpass at Hwy. 59 and Hamblen Road remains closed.

What parents should know

Following closures on May 3 due to flooding, officials with both Humble and New Caney ISDs have announced schools will be open May 6.

• "Humble ISD will be open Monday, May 6, 2024. Classes and activities will resume. Parents and staff, please check your email for full information. We look forward to seeing our students and staff back tomorrow," a May 5 Facebook post from HISD reads.
• "New Caney ISD schools will be open Monday, May 6. All schools will operate on a normal schedule. Also, buses will run on a normal schedule," a message reads on the NCISD website.

In a May 5 email sent to constituents at approximately 3 p.m., U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, said state and local officials are working to identify damages and immediate resource needs.

"As storms and flooding continue across our region and severe weather remains in the forecast, please stay safe and adhere to emergency alerts," the email reads. "Please know I am working closely with our state and local officials to ensure we are able to provide you with the best possible information and recovery assistance."

To help expedite the process, Crenshaw urged residents to self-report damages to homes, businesses and agriculture using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool, which will help officials identify immediate resource needs and aids in determining eligibility for assistance.

Crenshaw also noted those who have insurance and have experienced flooding or other storm-related damage should file a claim with their insurance companies.

"Anyone with damage, even if you have insurance, still needs to file a report with iSTAT," the email reads.

Looking ahead

According to a May 5 National Weather Service update sent at approximately 8 a.m., rain and storm changes will gradually taper off the evening of May 5. Dry conditions with a warming trend can be expected with high temperatures in the 90s after May 7.

Heat index values will reach 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit this week, and rain is expected to return to the forecast May 10.