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SJRA, Montgomery County OEM, and Harris County Flood Control Remind Public of Available Alerts
CONROE, TX — Midway through hurricane season, San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA), Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (MCOHSEM), and Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) remind residents of Montgomery, Harris, and surrounding counties of available water level, rainfall, and emergency alerts.
SJRA Weather Event Updates: These mass communication tools allow SJRA to communicate weather updates quickly and efficiently via email, SMS, and/or voice calls. SJRA Weather Event Updates are limited to severe weather events as determined by local offices of homeland security and emergency management. Sign up at www.sjra.net/updates.
Ready MCTX: MCOHSEM’s alert system contains the latest community updates, emergency warnings, and general updates including evacuation maps, shelter information, and status communications in an easy to use app. Sign up at www.mctxoem.org.
Flood Warning System (FWS) Alerts: A joint partnership between HCFCD and SJRA, FWS Alerts provide residents of Montgomery, Harris, and surrounding counties information on water levels and rainfall. Automated alert notifications are delivered via text message or e-mail when defined rainfall or water level values are reached at specific rainfall and stream gauges, alerting residents of potential high water threats.
The notifications are based on information gathered at over 250 gauge locations across the region by numerous agencies, including Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, and Waller Counties, City of Mont Belvieu, City of Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and SJRA. Create an account and sign up for alerts at www.fwsalerts.org. Learn more about the Flood Warning System Alerts at https://hellowoodlands.com/new-flood-warning-system-rainfall-stream-gauge-alerts-available/.
“Water level determination is essential knowledge during potential flooding events,” said Chuck Gilman, Director of Water Resources and Flood Management for SJRA. “Our collaboration with HCFCD will take data from gauges across the region and give the public another tool to manage the threat of flooding in our area.”
“One of the biggest takeaways from Hurricane Harvey was the need for automated notifications to be delivered in a timely manner” stated Jeff Lindner, Director of Hydrologic Operations and Meteorologist for HCFCD. “Residents can use alert features to make timely, informed decisions on how to protect themselves, their families, and their property.”
“Whenever there isn’t a disaster, people get complacent and forget what they need to do for hurricane season,” said Cynthia Jamieson, public information officer for the MCOHSEM. “The weather can be predicted to a certain extent, but there are some things—as we saw with Hurricane Harvey—that we just cannot predict. Notification tools can help keep everyone informed and aware.”
SJRA coordinates with many partners during weather events including MCOHSEM, HCFCD, the City of Houston, and Coastal Water Authority. 2019 Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1st and runs until November 30th.
One of the major river authorities in Texas, SJRA’s mission is to develop, conserve, and protect the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. Covering all or part of seven counties, the organization’s jurisdiction includes the entire San Jacinto River watershed, excluding Harris County. For additional information on SJRA visit www.sjra.net.
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