Houston officials said Tuesday that the city has spent several days preparing for Potential Tropical Cyclone One as forecasts indicate additional rainfall across the region.
City leaders said during a City Hall briefing that preparations included lowering Lake Houston by one foot, staging barricades in flood-prone areas, and positioning high-water rescue vehicles and boats across the city. Officials said the actions followed flooding caused by torrential rain one day earlier in several low-lying areas.
Brian Mason, director of the Houston Office of Emergency Management, said officials had tracked the system for several days and coordinated with police and fire departments to stage rescue resources. He said forecasts showed the system tracking east of Galveston Island, which would place Houston on a less active side of the storm and reduce rainfall risk, but he said conditions could still change.
Mayor John Whitmire said officials aimed to warn residents and visitors about flood risks, noting that thousands of people in Houston for the FIFA World Cup may be unfamiliar with local drainage patterns. He said drivers should avoid flooded streets and underpasses.
Public Works officials said Houston’s flood-control system uses streets as secondary drainage channels when storm sewers reach capacity. They said standing water can occur during heavy rain but cautioned drivers not to enter flooded roadways.
Houston Fire Department Chief Thomas Muñoz said even shallow water can pose a risk to vehicles and urged residents to avoid driving through flooded areas.
Officials said emergency operations remain active and crews will continue monitoring the system as it approaches. They said residents should remain weather-aware and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain.
