The City of College Station, The City of Bryan, Wixon Valley, Kurten, Brazos County, and Texas A&M are closely monitoring the progression of Hurricane Harvey. We are in direct communication with the National Weather Service and the State Operations Center concerning this storm and its potential impacts to the Brazos Valley.
UPDATES: Brazos Community Emergency Operations Center Blog
While the impacts across the state and along the coast may vary, locally we are expecting heavy rains and flooding conditions beginning late Friday with the potential to continue through the weekend and into early next week.
We urge residents to prepare by taking these actions:
- Make a disaster supply kit, to include a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, food, and water. For a list of what to include in your disaster kit, visit gov/build-a-kit.
- Bring in or have a shelter in place for outside animals.
- Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges. Remember to turn around, don’t drown. For information about road closures visit drivetexas.org (TxDOT roads) and brazoscountytx.gov.
- Bring anything inside that could be picked up by high winds.
- Secure your garbage and recycling containers.
- Check with neighbors and family members and make sure they are aware of your safety plans.
- Make a family emergency communication plan.
- Monitor local weather conditions.
As we monitor this storm, we will continue to release information as it becomes available.
-- Nathan Dennis, Brazos County Sheriff’s Office
Turn Around, Don't Drown
The National Weather Service and the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Division of Emergency Management urge you to learn the dangers of driving into flooded roadways. Drivers often underestimate the power of flood waters. When water is running across a road, drivers should always turn around and choose a different route.
- Six inches of water can cause tires to lose traction and begin to slide.
- Twelve inches of water can float many cars. Two feet of rushing water will carry off pick-up trucks, SUVs, and most other vehicles.
- Water across a road may hide a missing segment of roadbed or a missing bridge.
- In flash floods, waters rise so rapidly they may be far deeper by the time you are halfway across, trapping you in your vehicle.
- Flash floods are especially treacherous at night when it is hard to see how deep waters may be or how fast water is rising.
- Floodwater weakens roadbeds. Drivers should proceed cautiously after waters have receded, since the road may collapse under the weight of the vehicle.
Lives can be saved if Texas drivers follow this one rule: when there’s water on the road, turn around, don’t drown.
-- Brian Hilton, College Station Emergency Management Coordinator