The Harris County Flood Control District is monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, which is expected to move toward the upper Texas coast Tuesday and could bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds and rising water levels to portions of eastern Harris County.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas, to Vermilion, Louisiana, and a Flood Watch is in effect from 1 a.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m. Wednesday.

The system is expected to make landfall Tuesday along the upper Texas coast. While the forecast track keeps the center east of most of Harris County, impacts can extend well beyond the center of a tropical system.

Heavy Rainfall Expected Tuesday

The primary concern for Harris County is heavy rainfall, particularly along and east of the I-45 corridor.

Current forecasts indicate 3 to 6 inches of rain may fall across eastern Harris County, with isolated totals potentially reaching 8 to 10 inches where persistent rain bands develop. Areas farther west could receive considerably less rainfall.

Rain bands are expected to move inland Tuesday morning, with the greatest potential for heavy rain Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night. Intense rainfall could quickly produce street flooding and rapid rises along nearby bayous and channels.

Eastern Watersheds Being Closely Watched

The Flood Control District will be closely monitoring Luce Bayou, Cedar Bayou, Goose Creek and Carpenters Bayou, along with the East Fork of the San Jacinto River and surrounding drainage systems.

The corridor of heaviest rainfall is expected to be relatively narrow, so conditions could vary significantly across Harris County. The system is not expected to stall and should continue moving inland Tuesday into Wednesday.

Stay Weather Aware

Gusty winds are also possible Tuesday near Galveston Bay and portions of eastern Harris County, with isolated power outages possible.

Residents should continue monitoring forecasts and use the Harris County Flood Warning System at HarrisCountyFWS.org to track rainfall totals and water surface elevations at gages throughout the county. Avoid flooded roadways and never attempt to drive through high water.

The Flood Control District will continue monitoring conditions as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five approaches the upper Texas coast.

Weather insights provided by Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist.