Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 46

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 14.19 feet and rising due to last week’s rainfall working its way down from the upper portions of the Watershed. Hempstead peaked on Sunday and San Felipe is currently at or near its forecasted peak. The Brazos River through Richmond is anticipate to peak around Gage 17.7 feet on Tuesday morning. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

Most of the region woke up to a round of heavy showers with some areas seeing 1 to 2+ inches since 3 AM this morning. Some of the highest amounts were in Fort Bend County in the Sugar Land area. Once these showers move out of the region, the remainder of the week should include mostly Sunny weather that should last through the weekend. High temperatures through Tuesday should hit the low to mid-70s before the cold front pushes through on Wednesday. The dry cold front will send highs into the mid-50s to low 60s with a chance of freezing temperatures in portions of the region Wednesday night into Thursday morning. After the brief cold, highs will return to the low 60s to low 70s from Thursday through the weekend. After today, rain chances drop to below 10% for the next 5 to 7 days. Based on the forecasts, most of the lower Brazos River Watershed, including Fort Bend County, should see less than 0.25 inch over the next 7 days. The majority of this rainfall is what could fall over the Region today, Monday, with the remainder of the week being dry with little to no rain.

Reservoir Status

Fort Bend County has experienced destructive high water events in the recent years. We must be prepared not only during Hurricane Season but all year round.

With this in mind, Fort Bend County Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant would like to share some important Emergency Preparedness tips with our residents.

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 18.09 feet and peaking from the widespread rainfall that occurred last week in the upper portions of the watershed. The forecast is showing that levels should begin to fall Monday afternoon. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

After a warm, sunny weekend, we will start the week cloudy as we wait for our next cold front to arrive toward the middle of the week. High temperatures through Wednesday will hit in the upper 70s to low 80s, before the cold front drops our highs into the mid to upper 50s. Monday’s rain chances remain low; however, those rain chances increase Tuesday through Thursday. Based on the forecasts, portions of the lower Brazos River watershed, upstream of Hempstead, could see 1 to 1.5 in inches through Thursday. Further downstream through Austin, Waller, and Fort Bend Counties, we could see between 0.5 to 1.0 inches. Once the cold front pushes through the region, sunny to partly cloudy skies should return Friday and Saturday.

Reservoir Status

Fort Bend County Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant on Tuesday announced that yet another entity has taken steps in the right direction to generate tax savings for its residents. Municipal Utility District (MUD) 46 became the newest member to join in an Interlocal Agreement with Fort Bend County Tax Assessor/Collector. In doing so they will receive a 97% savings.

Last year Commissioner DeMerchant worked closely with Levee Improvement District (LID) 14 to find ways to lower the tax burden on its residents. The result was a 22% tax cut and a tax savings of 4 cents for each of its residents. By working out an agreement with LID 14 to collect LID taxes using the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor/Collector, assisted in a LID tax savings of 98%.

As promised Commissioner DeMerchant continues to evaluate, analyze, and brainstorm on fresh and innovative ways to pass on tax savings to the residents of Precinct 4.

DeMerchant stated, “It’s working smarter to find alternative solutions such as reducing wasteful spending and using those savings where they matter most, is what is important for the wellbeing of our County.”

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 9.35 feet. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River is anticipated.

This Week

After a fairly calm and dry 4 or 5 days, we will start the week wet, as another cold front works its way through the region. Today’s highs will hit the mid-70s before the cold front drops our highs throughout the week to the upper 50s to low/mid- 60s. With the cold front, a decent amount of rain is in the forecast for much of southeast Texas. The majority of the significant rainfall should remain northeast of Fort Bend County and mostly out of the Brazos River Watershed. Based on the forecasts, portions of the lower Brazos River Watershed (upstream of Hempstead) could see between 1 to 2 inches over the next 24 to 48 hours. Downstream of Hempstead and through Fort Bend County, we could see between 0.5 to 1.0 inches over the next 24 to 48 hours. This rainfall could bring much needed drought relief to portions of the lower Brazos River Watershed; however, based on the forecasts, no flooding along the Brazos River is anticipated. The extended forecast is showing sunny weather returning Thursday and Friday with the possibility of a wet weekend; however, there is uncertainty in the forecasts through the weekend. Continue to monitor your favorite local weather source for changes in the forecasts.

Reservoir Status

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 9.88 feet. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River is anticipated.

This Week

We will start the week with highs in the upper to mid-70s before our next cold front arrives bringing highs in the 50s to low 60s and lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Our rain chances will remain around 20% for most of the week, except for Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday when our rain chances increase to 70% to 80%. The Weather Prediction Center forecast shows the lower Brazos River Watershed, including Fort Bend County receiving 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rainfall over the next 5 to 7 days.

Reservoir Status