The National Hurricane Center has indicated that Tropical Storm Humberto is just off the Texas coast and will make landfall as a tropical storm sometime this evening around 10 p.m. and midnight between Freeport and Galveston. The storm has the potential to cause 40 mph to 45 mph wind gusts and bring 5 to 10 inches of rainfall over the next 24 to 36 hours in the Baytown area.
The City of Baytown encourages residents in flood prone areas to watch for high water over road ways and to protect their property. Stay away from downed power lines and monitor traffic reports for any street or highway closures due to flooding in the Houston / Baytown area. Do not drive into flooded areas, use common sense and exercise caution during this weather event.
A conference call was conducted with State Emergency Management officials today at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to coordinate information about storm and the impact to the City of Baytown. City officials are closely monitoring the track of the storm.
A city staff meeting was conducted this morning and the following activities have already been set in motion in order to prepare for this storm:
- Crews are out cleaning grates to ensure that water flows freely into storm drains.
- Stand-by crews are on duty this evening for immediate response if an inlet gets clogged in order to clear and restore inlets to normal free-flowing capacities.
- Police will report any problems from storm water, downed trees, fallen power lines, etc, to public works as they are discovered.
- All drivers of city vehicles will take proactive measures to report problems to emergency crews as they are encountered.
- All city vehicles will be kept fueled.
- Provisions are being made to re-fuel City storage tanks.
- The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will contact the City’s Industry Partners to coordinate storm preparations. The Red Cross has also been contacted concerning local shelter arrangements.
- High-water vehicles are operational. The Baytown OEM has eight (8) vehicles.
Another conference call will be conducted with State Officials at 4:00 p.m. today. Updates about the storm will be provided as information becomes available.
For helpful information tune to Municipal Channel 16 or check the City’s website at www.baytown.org.