UPDATE: National Weather Service Issues Flash Flood Watch For Southeast Texas

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Updated on Thursday, May 9, at 11:05 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for all of southeast Texas starting at 1 p.m. on Thursday and continuing through Saturday at 7 p.m.

The NWS is forecasting there could be multiple rounds of heavy rainfall during the watch period. The first round of storms could occur on Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. A second round of storms could happen late Friday into Saturday evening.

There could be widespread rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches with isolated spots with 9 to 12 inches.

The soil is saturated because of this week’s rainfall and the NWS says additional rainfall should run off quickly and cause flooding.

The Trinity River is experiencing flooding and there is moderate flooding the Brazos, San Bernard and San Jacinto rivers.

Updated on Wednesday, May 8, at 5:43 p.m.

Greater Houston residents should brace for strong to severe storms the rest of the week, according to the latest forecast from the NWS. On Tuesday, heavy rain already impacted different areas in the region, including Kingwood and Humble on the north side and Sugar Land to the southwest.

On Wednesday afternoon, the NWS issued a tornado watch for 11 counties in southeast Texas, including Montgomery and Walker, which are north of Harris County. The tornado watch will be in effect until 11 p.m. and includes Conroe, Huntsville and The Woodlands.

The NWS predicts that a line of thunderstorms will move Wednesday into Houston, the north section of Harris County, as well as into Montgomery, Liberty and Waller counties. Widespread rainfall totals could be about 5 to 8 inches, while isolated areas could get between 9 and 12 inches.

The ground is already saturated in areas that saw 4 inches or more of rainfall yesterday. That means there could be flooding and the NWS is warning about potential cresting on several regional rivers such as the Brazos, San Jacinto, San Bernard and Trinity. The bayous will also have to be monitored.

From Thursday until Friday morning, the NWS forecast says the heavy rain will persist and flash flood watches across much of Southeast Texas will be necessary.

The Harris County Office of Emergency Management is at Level III and the county has activated its Emergency Operations Center. Updated information is posted on ReadyHarris.org.

The Harris County Flood Control District is also monitoring the weather in coordination with the National Weather Service, the San Jacinto River Authority, and the West Gulf River Forecast Center, along with other local agencies and partners. The agency posts information on the website of the Harris County Flood Warning System.

In Fort Bend County, Judge KP George has issued a Disaster Declaration and officials have also activated their Emergency Operations Center. Updated information is posted on fbcoem.org.

On Tuesday, the heavy rains made most of the roads in Sugar Land impassable, and also caused an overflow of the sewer system in Baytown, but the drinking water system wasn’t affected. Emergency responders also had to perform some water rescues in southwest Harris County and in Kingwood.

Several school districts were closed on Wednesday because of the severe weather, including Cleveland, Huffman, New Caney and Splendora. The majority of Fort Bend Independent School District schools started classes late.

On Wednesday afternoon, the New Caney Independent School District announced on its website all its schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday due to weather conditions.