HOUSTON (KTRK) — The National Weather Service has just issued a Flood Warning for Addicks and Barker Reservoirs for the first time ever. The news comes hours after officials said Highway 6 could be under water for weeks.
Highway 6 may be under water for 4-6 weeks. @TxDOT is working to find other paths through the area.
— Official Ed Emmett (@EdEmmett) April 20, 2016
According to Harris County Flood Control, Addicks Reservoir is 4.04 feet above the previous record level set in March 1992.
Earlier today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a statement warning nearby residents to prepare for possible flooding on streets and maybe even homes.
“Residents in the Bear Creek Village neighborhood immediately adjacent to the Addicks Reservoir; and in all subdivisions along Barker Reservoir, are urged to remain alert and take precautionary measures,” according to the statement. “Residents are encouraged to monitor local media closely for weather and road conditions updates. Evacuation information will be provided by the Harris and/or Ford Bend counties’ Office of Emergency Management.”
According to the statement, both reservoirs’ water levels are still rising and are expected to continue to do so throughout the week, even if the rain stops.
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett announced Wednesday that Highway 6 will likely be under water for 4 to 6 weeks. TxDOT is urging residents to use FM 529 as an alternate route, and will even waive some tolls at Beltway 8 to make taking alternate routes easier.
Here are the details of current flood-related closures as specifically outlined by Harris County:
ADDICKS RESERVOIR:
State Highway 6 is closed from Clay Road to Park Row. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) encourages motorists to use FM 529 as an alternate.
Harris County Precinct 3’s north-south North Eldridge Parkway is impassable from Dairy-Ashford to Clay Road.
Precinct 3’s north-south Barker-Cypress Road is impassable from Groeschke Road to South Parkview Road.
The east-west Clay Road is impassable from SH 6 to Brittmore Drive. TXDOT has coordinated with the Harris County Toll Road Authority to waive tolls at the Clay Road southbound entrance ramp to the Sam Houston Parkway toll road for the duration of this closure.
All internal roads in the reservoir, including Patterson Road, Bear Creek Drive and War Memorial Street, are impassable.
All recreational facilities are closed.
BARKER RESERVOIR:
The east-west Westheimer Parkway is impassable through the reservoir, from FM 1093 to South Fry Road.
South Barker-Cypress Road from Westheimer Parkway to FM 1093 is impassable.
All recreational facilities are closed.
http://abc13.com/weather/highway-6-could-be-under-water-for-4-6-weeks/1301590/