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.
