HOUSTON — Steady rainfall continued across the Houston area Friday, with forecasters warning of possible flooding in low-lying areas as a storm system moves through the region.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday. Meteorologist Jimmy Fowler from the agency’s Houston-Galveston office said most areas could see between 2 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated locations receiving up to 6 inches.
“We have pretty widespread rainfall occurring along and north of I-10 this morning,” Fowler said. “We’re going to see continued widespread showers and thunderstorm activity through this evening until late tonight.”
Rain is expected to taper off by Saturday, with forecasts calling for partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s.
As of Friday afternoon, impacts remained limited. CenterPoint Energy reported more than 6,000 customers without power around 2:30 p.m., while Houston TranStar indicated no high-water road closures as of early afternoon.
Air travel was affected, with Federal Aviation Administration data showing average ground delays of nearly two hours at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. William P. Hobby Airport also experienced a temporary ground stop earlier in the day but reported minimal delays later.
Recent rainfall has helped ease drought conditions in the region. Data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of Harris County has improved from moderate drought levels recorded at the end of March. As of Thursday, about 7.9% of the county remained under moderate drought classification.
Statewide, about 75% of Texas is still experiencing moderate drought, down from 89% in late March.
The Houston area recorded more than 5 inches of rain in April, according to the weather service—about 1.5 inches above the monthly average.
