Fort Bend County officials are on high alert as rising water levels along the Brazos River threaten to impact low-lying areas. During a recent press conference, County Judge KP George, alongside Emergency Operations Manager Greg Babst, Assistant Chief Drainage Engineer Jeff Janecek, and Road and Bridge Commissioner Scott Wieghat, provided critical updates on the situation and the county's preparedness efforts.

The National Weather Service has issued river flood warnings for the region following the activation of the Fort Bend County's Emergency Operations Center to a Level 3. This comes in response to heavy rains forecasted for the coming days, exacerbating the already heightened water levels from last week's rainfall in the Navasota River Watershed, which feeds into the Brazos River.

Greg Babst

Assistant Drainage Engineer Jeff Janecek underscored the continuous monitoring of the river's response over the past week. According to the latest data from the West Gulf River Forecast Center, which provides river flood reports three times daily, the floodway is anticipated to affect areas including Simonton, Valley Lodge, Orchard, Rosenberg, and reach the Richmond gauge at a forecasted peak of 44.5 feet — fortunately still below the minor flood stage.

Despite the looming threats, officials have assured that the impact is expected to be low to moderate, with no immediate threat as of now. They are coordinating closely with surrounding jurisdictions to fortify safety measures and ensure a swift response should conditions worsen.

Judge George emphasized the importance of community preparedness, urging residents to stay informed through updates by signing up for mobile alerts. "Keeping residents informed has been a foundation of my commitment since day one in office,” he stated. “In times of potential crisis, such as the possibility of flooding, it's imperative that we empower our residents with timely and accurate information. By staying informed, our community can better prepare and respond to any challenges that may arise."

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow all safety guidelines issued by local authorities. With officials closely monitoring the situation and the community well-informed, Fort Bend County stands ready to tackle the potential natural challenge head-on.

Stay connected with real-time updates and all the latest news by visiting our dedicated Fort Bend County flood coverage page.

For more info, visit www.fbcoem.org