HOUSTON
(April 18, 2016) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District and its
partners, Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Precinct 3, Harris
County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, the Fort Bend
County Emergency Operations Center, the City of Houston and the Texas
Department of Transportation, continue to monitor roads located near the Addicks
and Barker dams due to inclement weather. Officials are warning motorists to anticipate
State Hwy 6, Westheimer Parkway in the Barker Reservoir, Eldridge
Parkway and Clay Road to be under water at some point today as a result of the
rising reservoir pools.
“Public safety is our number one priority as we work with our
partners to monitor the dams and reservoirs,” said Col. Richard P. Pannell,
USACE Galveston District commander. “We encourage motorists to monitor the weather conditions as they develop and follow the directions of local
officials. Currently, Hwy 6 has water flowing over it due to the
amount of water coming into the Addicks Reservoir and staff anticipate
Westheimer Parkway in the Barker Reservoir to go under water later today.”
The Corps remains in contact with its partners to provide status
updates as the impoundment of rainwater in the Addicks Reservoir could result
in flood water impacting State Highway 6 between Clay Road and Interstate 10,
which is located inside of the reservoir, and will continue to monitor
conditions as they change.
Residents and motorists are encouraged stay informed of impending
closures and use the following contact information to receive updated
information:
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Weather
Forecast: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/?n=forecasts.
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Harris County
Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management: Francisco
Sanchez at 713-881-3100.
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SH 6 Road
Conditions:
Texas Department of Transportation at www.drivetexas.org or toll free
hotline 800-452-9292 and Houston TranStar at www.houstontranstar.org.
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City of Houston
Emergency Information: Emergency Information and Emergency Alerts from the City of
Houston http://houstontx.gov/emergency.
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For Flooding,
Bayou Levels and Rainfall Updates: Check the Harris County Flood Control
District website at www.hcfcd.org, the Harris
County Flood Warning System website and mobile website at www.harriscountyfws.org or call the Harris County Flood Control
District's Media and Communications line at 281-808-3226.
Constructed in the 1940s, both reservoirs are normally kept dry to
preserve their overall capacity to impound storm water and reduce flood levels
in Buffalo Bayou. When a rain event occurs, the gates are closed on the Addicks
and Barker dams to reduce flooding below the reservoirs. When the downstream
runoff has receded to non-damaging stages, reservoir operations resume, the
gates are opened, and water is released.
To learn more about the Addicks and Barker Dam Safety Program,
visit www.addicksandbarker.info. For more news and information,
visit www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict
or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.