Author: FCLID 2

News Release – Evacuation Order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – Fort Bend County Officials and the Emergency Operations Center have been closely monitoring the water level in the Brazos River. The National Weather Service forecast indicates that the Brazos River will crest sometime Tuesday, August 29 in the late afternoon or early evening at an elevation of fifty nine feet at the Richmond gauge.

Judge Hebert said that “…a flood of this magnitude is an 800 year event and it exceeds the design specifications of our levees, and is potentially dangerous for a good portion of Fort Bend County. A fifty-nine foot river level threatens to overtop many of the levees in our area. As a result, I am ordering both voluntary and mandatory evacuations for many of the levee improvement districts along the Brazos River, based on all specific facts pertaining to each levee. ”

A voluntary evacuation means that you should consider leaving to head for a safer area. There is a chance that surrounding flood waters may hinder your ability to get in and out of your neighborhood. You may be stuck in your neighborhood for several days.

A mandatory evacuation means that there is risk to life and safety as well as property. There is also a risk to the lives of first responders who might be called on to rescue you when the expected danger materializes. During a mandatory evacuation emergency, personnel WILL NOT be able to respond to your calls for help. You will be on your own. You cannot rely on help from others.

A mandatory evacuation indicates the possibility of danger to your life. We urge you not to ignore it. If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone, do the smart thing: leave and be safe. Local law enforcement and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s office will patrol evacuated areas.

Pull up the interactive map to find out if your residence is in the evacuation area:  https://fbcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps /webappviewer/index.html?id= d1a054f74789410bbe35bed305c81841

The following areas are under a MANDATORY evacuation order:

• First Colony LID #1
• Fort Bend County LID #20
• Fort Bend County LID #6
• Fort Bend County LID #7
• Fort Bend County MUD #115
• Fort Bend County MUD #46
• Fort Bend County MUD #49
• Municipal Utility District #121
• Palmer Plantation #1
• Palmer Plantation #2

The following areas are under a VOLUNTARY evacuation order:

• Fort Bend County LID #2
• Fort Bend County LID #10
• Fort Bend County LID #11
• Fort Bend County LID #14
• Fort Bend County LID #15
• Fort Bend County LID #17
• Fort Bend County LID #179
• First Colony LID #2
• Pecan Grove MUD
• Sienna Plantation

Judge Hebert reiterated that, “If you are in a Mandatory Evacuation zone, please leave. If you don’t, you may be in danger and we may not be able to help. If you are in a Voluntary Evacuation zone, take steps to protect yourself, your family and your property and be ready to lose service and mobility for an extended period of time if you choose to shelter in place. In any case, begin your preparation now. Take steps now to keep safe.”

If you are under a mandatory evacuation order, take the following steps:

• Determine a safe evacuation route
• Pack essential items including medicine, important documents, and first aid kits
• Take your pets (and pet food) with you
• Secure your home by locking all doors and windows
• Leave as soon as you are instructed to leave

Also be aware that mandatory evacuation orders are already in place for areas along the Brazos River that were impacted by the Memorial Day 2016 flood, and for low lying areas of the San Bernard River. There are also evacuations in place from the cities of Rosenberg, Richmond, and Simonton and a voluntary evacuation for areas around the Barker Reservoir.

If you are in a voluntary evacuation area, be sure you are comfortable staying put for several days and that you have enough food, water and other supplies to last at least a week.

There are shelters in the area. Contact the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management at 281-342-6185 to find a shelter.  Red Cross shelter information can be found online: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Public Information Officer

Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Center

281-342-6185

As you are aware large amounts of rain have fallen within the Commonwealth subdivision over the past 24 hours.  The levee district drainage system remains in gravity flow discharge from Alcorn Lake, meaning the pumps have not yet had to operate.  All of the pumps, equipment, and staff are in place and ready to operate as intended as the Brazos river rises.  The lakes and detention ponds within the District have adequate storage capacity at this time for the predicted rainfall, and the levee height and pumps should be adequate to handle not only the anticipated rainfall within the District, but also the anticipated rise in the Brazos river.  We will notify everyone of any change in circumstances but we should be in good shape to weather this storm.

The National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center has issued a forecasted Brazos River crest elevation at the Richmond gage of 59′ (ft) to occur on Tuesday August 29th around 7pm.  That would mean a record flood for the Brazos River in Fort Bend County.  The First Colony LID#2 levee, which serves the Commonwealth neighborhood, has sufficient freeboard at that forecasted elevation.  Staff will be monitoring the levee and conditions 24 hours a day.  Please remember that these precautionary measures are not a sign of trouble and is a part of our flood response plan as outlined in the District’s Emergency Action Plan.

There will be areas in the county outside of levee protection that will be flooded.

NWS forecasts in the past have proven to be accurate although there can always be some margin for error.  Stay to tuned to the City of Sugar Land and Fort Bend County official information for any updates or specific action you should take.  Only City and County officials are authorized to order evacuations should they be needed.   At this point residents are encouraged to monitor the Fort Bend County OEM website http://fbcoem.org/ and City of Sugar Land OEM website http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/

If you have any special needs that you feel need to addressed please contact the City of Sugar Land.