Severe Weather Warnings in Texas
The Lone Star State has recently been met with severe weather warnings. One included a barrage of rain that met the state with massive flood warnings.
Source: Robert Murray/Unsplash
The closure of Lake Houston comes at an inopportune time. In the Gulf Coast of Mexico, officials have been dealing with rising water levels threatening hurricanes.
High Levels of Precipitation Throughout the State
After receiving roughly 6 inches of rain in the first week of May, more is expected to fall, causing increased issues with flooding in Houston.
Source: @Jim_n_Texas/X
The average monthly rainfall for the entire state is only five inches. Officials are concerned that the increased precipitation can cause problems with the state’s infrastructure, like bridges and dams along with the problems they already face with reservoirs.
Heightened Lake and Reservoir Levels
Lake Houston isn’t the only area to experience the negative effects of rain storms. Lake Belton reached 100 percent capacity after being severely depleted from a drought just last year.
Source: Public Domain/Wikipedia Commons
Many lakes and reservoirs are reaching capacity and officials are concerned that they may have to close more bodies of water to the public.
The Houston Office of Emergency Management Made a Statement
The group on social media platform X stated, “It is not safe to swim, kayak, boat, or do any other water activities on the lake. For your safety, stay out of the lake until it is reopened.”
Source: @Thelovetoy/X
Officials know they cannot keep everyone off the lake while it is closed, but they hope to inform residents of the dangers and encourage them to stay away.
Lake Houston Rising Above Pool Level
At the beginning of last week, Lake Houston peaked at 48 feet before some water started draining or evaporating.
Source: VillagerNews/X
The full pool level should be 42.40 feet; however, water levels remain stagnant at 44 feet, more than 2 feet above where the lake should sit.
NWS Houston Predicting More Rainfall All Week
In a post on X by the weather authority in Houston, they noted that the rest of the week will bring large amounts of rainfall near Lake Livingston.
Source: Bryan Dickerson/Unsplash
The event began on April 28th when torrential rainfall crossed the Pineywoods region.
Flooding Events Common in Springtime
Massive amounts of rain are uncommon for dry Texas weather; however, the precipitation has been known to rise in the spring.
Surges of rain can cause flooding events in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the upper-level disturbances in the state are a cause for alarm.
Multiple Storms Hit the Area in Quick Succession
Weather authorities have also noted that the massive amounts of precipitation were caused by increased storms sent in from the western United States.
Source: Erik Gonzalez/Unsplash
The Houston area does get some mild storms in the springtime, but the recent barrage of rainfall is to blame for flooding in the area.
River Flooding Will Persist
Flooding can be difficult to predict and even harder to control in dry and arid regions.
Source: Phillip Flores/Unsplash
The ground in desert areas is usually too rough and dry to absorb adequate water in time. Even so, excess moisture in the ground can often cause landslides.
Businesses Affected Around Lake Houston
Due to the lake’s closure, many businesses in the area have had a stark drop in customers.
Source: @houstonpolice/X
May is a busy month for many seasonal businesses in the area. They hope that the water levels return to normal soon so that life can return to normal in the area and they can recoup their losses.
Residents Should Avoid the Area
Due to flooding and the risk of landslides, residents have been instructed to avoid the area for the time being.
Source: @USACEGALVESTON/X
Officials will try to quell the high flood levels to reopen Lake Houston in a timely manner.