San Jacinto River evacuation lifted in Harris County after flooding

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced that many residents who had to evacuate their homes along the San Jacinto River last week can now return to their neighborhoods, although she urged caution because some roads could still be flooded.

On Monday, Judge Hidalgo lifted the mandatory evacuation that was ordered last week for residents along the East Fork as river levels rose after several days of heavy rain. West Fork residents were also encouraged to leave their homes or prepare to shelter in place for a few days.

PREVIOUS: Harris County evacuation ordered along San Jacinto River

Judge Hidalgo said that as of Monday morning, 233 people and 186 pets had been rescued in the county, but no deaths had been reported.

“I know evacuating is stressful, but I want to thank people for following our advice. Flooding is one of the leading causes of death in these types of situations, and we have not had a single death that we know of. “There were no serious injuries that we are aware of,” Judge Hidalgo said. “This is happening, of course, because of our first responders, but also because of the individuals in the community who directed our alerts and took responsible action by evacuating themselves and their families,” Judge Hidalgo said.

For those returning home, Judge Hidalgo says the impacts are significantly better, but some neighborhoods will still experience flooding like Belleau Wood, North Shore, Forest Cove and Rio Villa. She reminds the public to never drive in high water.

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As residents return home, the focus will now be on cleaning and recovery.

“In terms of cleaning, getting the water out of their homes, it’s really very crucial to make sure that their belongings are safe. I want to highlight here obviously mold and mosquitoes. Those are the two main ones threats that we are currently facing,” said Judge Hidalgo. “So when it comes to mold, that’s why you want to eliminate it as soon as possible, that black mold, before it becomes a problem for your family. And then the mosquitoes. ‘Tis the season mosquitoes and, as everyone knows, stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, they can carry very dangerous diseases.

She says public health officials will go test areas and spray anywhere that tests positive for the disease. However, she still urges residents to empty any standing water accumulated in items such as buckets or old tires as soon as possible.

Officials remind residents moving debris to wear protective gear like heavy work gloves and heavy shoes or boots. Some debris could contain hazardous materials. Wildlife like reptiles and rodents may have been displaced by floodwaters, so remain vigilant and stay away from them.

Residents who need assistance with recovery efforts will be able to contact 211, led by United Way, to be connected with partners and resources. She says some services are still being set up, but residents can call to find the nearest food distribution center and connect them with an organization that can help them clean up dirt and materials damaged by flooding of their homes.

Shelters

The following shelters remain open:

• Greenhouse International Church: 200 W Greens Rd, Houston, TX 77067.

• Calvary Baptist Church: 816 N Blair Ave, Cleveland, TX 77327.

Important links

• The Harris County Office of Emergency Management has a website with recovery resources. Click here.

• Residents and businesses are asked to report damage to their property to the state. Click here.

• Connective also collects information to help determine community needs. Click here.

• If you would like to donate your time, visit Volunteer Houston for opportunities.