Traffic struggles amid heavy rain and flooding during thunderstorms in Houston.
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain affected Houston on Friday evening, leading to traffic disruptions and ground stops at major airports. With reports of flooding in multiple locations, local authorities are monitoring conditions and advising caution for residents and travelers. Flights were significantly affected, especially at Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which saw extended delays despite ground stops being lifted. As additional rain is forecasted for the weekend, residents are urged to stay informed about travel and flooding conditions.
Strong thunderstorms and heavy rain disrupted the Houston area on Friday evening, causing significant traffic delays and the implementation of ground stops at major airports. As heavy downpours continued, street flooding became a concern, with local authorities actively monitoring high water conditions at several key locations throughout the city.
High water was reported at multiple sites, severely affecting traffic flow. Notable locations experiencing flooding included IH-45 Gulf Northbound at IH-610 South Loop, where one ramp lane was impacted as of 7:02 PM, and IH-610 East Loop Northbound at Clinton Drive, affecting four main lanes and one shoulder, noted at 6:43 PM. Houston Transtar tracked high water conditions across various parts of the city, and the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office monitored additional locations of concern.
City officials advised that certain intersections and underpasses may be barricaded if flooding conditions worsen, urging residents and travelers to exercise caution while on the roads.
Travel plans were also severely impacted at Houston’s airports, with a ground stop enforced at both Hobby Airport (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) due to the severe weather. Although the ground stop at IAH was expected to last until 10:30 PM, it was lifted early, before 10 PM. Meanwhile, Hobby Airport’s ground halt concluded at 7:50 PM, but significant delays persisted, with average flight delays reported at approximately 1 hour and 9 minutes at both airports.
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests that thunderstorms will continue through the weekend as tropical moisture remains in the area. Rainfall estimates for this period range from 1 to 2 inches, creating potential for further localized street flooding. Houston is also expected to experience a temperature drop into the upper-80s to low-90s, providing some relief from the recent heatwave.
A weak tropical low approaching the Texas coast is contributing to the current unsettled weather conditions. Residents can expect scattered thunderstorms to persist into the weekend, followed by a return to warmer temperatures once this period of stormy weather concludes.
Travelers are encouraged to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight statuses and delays, as conditions remain fluid. Additionally, local authorities have made available a Flood Tracker tool for real-time alerts on local flooding conditions, further assisting residents and those commuting through the affected areas.
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