Storm Center

Flood Warning System

The Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System (FWS) measures rainfall amounts and monitors water levels in bayous and major streams on a real-time* basis to inform you of dangerous weather conditions. The system relies on a network of gage stations strategically placed throughout Harris County bayous and their tributaries.

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Step By Step Instructions To Receive Alerts By Email And/Or Text

Alert notifications are available at over 250 locations across the region.

Sign up for default alerts or create custom alerts to receive real-time rainfall and stream level alerts by email and/or text message.

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Stay informed and prepared!

Whenever the forecast calls for possible heavy rainfall, Harris County residents are urged to monitor weather conditions, and to pay close attention to road conditions on their daily travel routes.

Turn Around, Don't Drown

Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool
A simple safety message to keep you and your family safe and dry is Turn Around, Don't Drown. If heavy rainfall occurs in any area where you are traveling, or near homes and places of work, you are urged to avoid high water and flooded streets throughout the county and process with caution when driving on area roadways.

If you do venture out before or during a storm, check the Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool in advance for ponding areas, which are sections of roadways and undeveloped land that typically hold stormwater during and after heavy rainfall.

• Type in an address in the “ADDRESS SEARCH” box in the left column, and, after the location appears on the map click on the “Ponding” option in the left column. Frequent ponding areas will appear on the map.

• You can then plan an alternate route, or at least avoid those areas, when you get out on the road.

Stay Home, Don't Roam

Flood Warning System
The Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Watch team will monitor rainfall trends and check the gages that measure rainfall amounts and water levels in bayous and creeks. The team constantly monitors the data and works during severe weather events to advise the public and local officials of areas that are and could be affected by flooding.

With heavy rainfall comes the threat of flooding, so it is important for Harris County residents to be aware of conditions near their workplaces, schools and homes. The Flood Control District urges all residents to monitor rainfall and bayou water levels on its Harris County Flood Warning System website. Stay Home, Don't Roam: When faced with a flooding situation, Stay Put, wherever you are, unless your life is threatened or you are orders to evacuate and do not drive or walk into high water areas.

Additional Flood Preparedness Tips:

Secure valuables and important documents.
Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
Have a flood insurance policy. For information on flood insurance, visit the National Flood Insurance Program website or call 1-888-379-9531.
Know your home’s risk of flooding. You can view a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM or floodplain map) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Map Service Center.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are a significant threat to the Texas Gulf Coast. Many major storms have caused a lot of destruction in our area in the past and we should expect future significant weather events to impact our area.

For additional information:

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has disaster preparedness resources and the latest information about conditions in Harris County.
Contact Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at 713-881-3100.
Contact City of Houston Office of Emergency Management at 713-884-4500.