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Brazos River Update – Brazos River in Minor Flood Stage / Heavy Rain Possible Sunday into Monday – May 11, 2:30 PM

As of 1:15 PM on May 11, 2024, the Brazos River in Richmond is in Minor Flood Stage and is currently at Gage Elevation 45.63 feet. Based on the gage data, the Brazos River through Richmond appears to be cresting. According to the 1: 29 PM forecast, the Brazos River through Richmond should fall below Minor Flood Stage on Sunday. How quickly the Brazos River falls will depend on the amount of rain received over the next 48 hours. Below is a summary of the gages from Hempstead downstream.

The NWS continues to show heavy rainfall potential for the lower Brazos River Watershed and the Region from Sunday into Monday. During that time, the Lower Brazos River watershed could receive rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches with isolated higher amounts in localized areas. Based on the forecast, the heaviest rain continues to be located upstream of I-10. After Sunday/Monday, the region should see a short break from rain on Tuesday and Wednesday before additional rain potentially moves through the region toward the middle to end of next week. The Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) is showing the lower Brazos River Watershed receiving between 1 to 3 inches of rain over the next 7 days. Based on the current forecast, no major flooding due to the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated; however, low laying areas could be impacted and drainage facilities could take longer to drain out than usual.

Please note, forecasts and conditions can change. Everyone is encouraged to stay weather aware by following their favorite local weather source, including the National Weather Service and the West Gulf River Forecast Center.  If you have not ready done so, please remember to sign up for Emergency Updates from Fort Bend County.

Based on the rainfall potential, the District personnel is continuing to monitor forecasts and is ready to activate as needed. This is the first rainfall event since the construction of the District’s stormwater pump station which was completed earlier this year. Pumping may not be required; however, pump operations are possible. Please note that activity around the pump station is normal during this time when the Brazos River is elevated and rain is in the forecast. The District understands residents could be curious about the operation of the pump station; however, the District asks all residents to keep out of the District’s pump station. Please allow the operations team to focus on flood fighting. If residents have any concerns or questions, please contact the District at https://www.fbcmud46.org/contact.

Brazos River Update – Brazos River in Action Stage and Rising / Increasing Chance of Rain on Sunday – May 10, 9:00 AM

As of 8:15 AM on May 10, 2024, the Brazos River in Richmond is in Action Stage and is currently at Gage Elevation 44.95 feet and rising. According to the 8:24 AM forecast, the Brazos River through Richmond will enter Minor Flood Stage later this morning and crest around Gage Elevation 45.3 feet late tonight into Saturday morning. Because of the River forecast, the NWS has expanded the Flood Warning to include the Brazos River through Fort Bend County. Looking further upstream, the Brazos River through Hempstead has fallen 1.2 feet since it crested yesterday around noon. The San Felipe Gage appears to be near it’s crest. It is currently at Gage Elevation 118.47 with a crest of 118.5’. Based on the forecasts, we should also see the Brazos River near FM 1489 crest later today.

Based on the latest NWS Forecast, much of the region could see heavy rainfall occurring Sunday into Monday. During that time rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are possible with isolated higher amounts in localized areas. Rainfall rates could trigger Flash Flood conditions in areas. After Sunday/Monday, the region should see a short break from rain on Tuesday and Wednesday before additional rain potentially moves through the region toward the middle to end of next week. The Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) is showing the lower Brazos River Watershed receiving between 2 to 3 inches of rain over the next 7 days. As mentioned, the majority of this could occur Sunday into Monday. Based on the current forecast, no major flooding due to the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated; however, low laying areas could be impacted especially if flash flood conditions develop.

Based on the current forecast, the District does not anticipate emergency operations; however, the District’s team is continuing to monitor conditions along the Brazos River and within, including the National Weather Service and the West Gulf River Forecast Center.  If you have not ready done so, please remember to sign up for Emergency Updates from Fort Bend County.

Based on the current forecast, the District could move into emergency operations. The District’s team is continuing to monitor conditions along the Brazos River and within the District and is ready to respond as needed. Please note that activity around the pump station is normal during this time when the Brazos River is elevated and rain is in the forecast. If residents have any concerns, please contact the District at https://www.fbcmud46.org/contact.

May 9, 9:00 AM – Brazos River Update – Brazos River in Action Stage and Rising / Increasing Chance of Rain on Sunday

As of 8:15 AM on May 9, 2024, the Brazos River in Richmond is in Action Stage and is currently at Gage Elevation 43.82 feet and rising. According to the 8:52 AM forecast, the WGRFC anticipates the Brazos River cresting around Gage Elevation 45.2 feet on Saturday. This puts the Brazos River through Richmond slightly above Minor Flood Stage. Looking further upstream, the Hempstead Gage should crest today. It is currently at Gage Elevation 46.52 with a forecast crest of 46.9. The San Felipe Gage should crest on Friday. It is currently at Gage Elevation 117.71 with a crest of 118.8’. Based on the forecasts, areas along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County could see another 1 to 2 feet of rise through Sunday before water levels start to fall. Please note due to the hydraulics of the Brazos River and the distance between forecast points, some areas could see slightly less or slightly more than this estimate.

As mentioned yesterday, while the Brazos River is elevated, we focus even more on our rain chances as low areas and drainage facilities could have reduced capacity. Conditions continue to support the risk for heavy rainfall starting Sunday afternoon into Monday. This morning’s forecast shows the heaviest rain potentially along and north of I-10, but everyone should continue to monitor forecasts as we approach Sunday. Final locations and amounts could vary. As of this morning, the Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) is showing the lower Brazos River Watershed receiving between 1 to 3 inches of rain over the next 7 days. The majority of this could occur Sunday into Monday. Based on the current forecast, no major flooding due to the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated; however low laying areas could be impacted.

Based on the current forecast, the District does not anticipate emergency operations; however, the District’s team is continuing to monitor conditions along the Brazos River and within the District and is ready to respond as needed. Please note, forecasts and conditions can change. Everyone is encouraged to stay weather aware by following their favorite local weather source, including the National Weather Service and the West Gulf River Forecast Center. If you have not ready done so, please remember to sign up for Emergency Updates from Fort Bend County.