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Most people enjoy the occasional slow-paced rainy day. In Harris County, we typically see about 106 days with rainfall each year. Understanding how those rainfall totals add up over time and how stormwater moves throughout Harris County is key to understanding flood risk.
A few inches of rain might not seem like much at first. But when rain events happen close together, the inches start to add up, the ground remains saturated, and bayous and channels stay elevated. When additional rainfall arrives, channels that are already moving stormwater at or near capacity can become overwhelmed. That is why both rainfall amount and duration matter when assessing flood risk.
Lower-lying areas next to our bayous and channels can begin to experience inundation as excess stormwater overtops channel banks. Understanding where these areas of inundation are expected to occur along Harris County’s bayous is another important part of understanding flood risk.
Rain that falls outside of Harris County can also influence water levels within Harris County’s bayou system. Stormwater does not respect jurisdictional boundaries.
You can visit the Harris County Flood Warning System (FWS) to get real-time rainfall information.
The Flood Control District is continuing to make historic progress in flood risk reduction projects and maintenance efforts thanks to voter support and dedicated staff. Stay informed by following us on social media.