Flooding as Brazos River Breaks Records

The Brazos River in Ft. Bend County has reached flood levels not seen in decades, with June 1, 2016 measurements showing 54.78 ft at the Richmond gauge. Flood stage at that location is 45 feet, and typical normal water level ranges from 12 to 20 feet deep.  The previous record flood level (in recent decades & current gauge location) was 50.30 feet, on October 21, 1994.  The current level qualifies the flood stage as a “100 Year Flooding Event”, as per the National Weather Service.

The flood gauge is located just south of the Hwy 90 bridge over the Brazos River in Richmond.  Previous floods exceeding current levels happened before the modern Brazos River flood control reservoirs were built, and measurement gauge locations may have changed.  On Dec 10, 1913, the Richmond river gauge recorded a depth of 61.2 feet.  After a period of heavy rains in 1957, the Rosharon gauge on the Brazos Rivers showed a record flood level of 53.4 feet. 

Recent heavy rains, following rain and floods over the last two months, have flooded many areas of Fort Bend County, especially in the vicinity of the Brazos River and its tributaries.  Drainage ditches throughout the county are full, the ground is saturated, and with the river at record levels there is simply no place for water to drain to.

This situation is likely to worsen over the next few days, as several more inches of rainfall is forecast before the weekend.

Currently, the National Weather Service is reporting major lowland flooding in parts of Richmond, Simonton and Thompsons.  FM 1458 near FM 1093 is inundated with water and closed. Homes along Carrol and McKeever Roads near FM 2759 in southeast Fort Bend County are in danger of flooding.  Strange Drive, Greenwood Drive and Second Street in Richmond are reported flooded.   Sixth Street, Avenue B and River Road in Rosenberg, along with Pittman Road in Thompsons are flooded with more than one foot of water.

Brazos River levels data from the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

Major Ft. Bend area roadways that are currently closed due to flooding:

Road Closures in Fort Bend County
Last Updated Time Road/Intersection Status Verified
Major Roadways
2016-06-01 3:56 PM FM 359 is now closed between Mason Road and Plantation Drive.  The only routes between FM 1093 to US 90A are Harlem Road, Grand Parkway (SH 99) and roadways east of Grand Parkway. IMPASSABLE YES
2016-06-01 9:25 AM HWY 90A East Bound Closed from Pitts Road to Harlem Road, Richmond IMPASSABLE  YES
2016-05-31 4:54 PM FM 359 from US Hwy 90A to Plantation Drive, Richmond IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-31 9:04 PM McKeever Road from Sienna Parkway to Steep Bank Trace, Missouri City IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-31 2:14 PM FM 2759 from Agnes Road to Thompson Ferry Road, Thompsons IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-31 9:06 AM Mason Road north of FM 359 (detour Plantation to Harlem), Richmond IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 9:05 PM Precinct Line Road from Clayhead Road to McCrary Road, Richmond IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 6:57 PM FM 1489 from FM 1093 north to County Line Road, Simonton IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 6:57 PM FM 1489 from FM 1093 south to Johnson Road (north of Orchard) IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 5:50 PM Skinner Lane from McCrary Road to James Long Parkway IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 4:00 PM FM 723 from US Hwy 90A to FM 359, Rosenberg IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 1:54 PM River turnaround under US Hwy 90A bridges, Richmond IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 1:24 PM US Hwy 90A & SH 36 underpass in Rosenberg IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-30 7:00 PM Hunt Road from Hunt Lane to FM 1489, Brookshire IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-29 7:00 PM FM 1093 from Brazos River to Stansberry Road, Simonton IMPASSABLE YES
2016-05-31 7:00 PM Brazos River Turnaround Northbound and Southbound, Sugar Land IMPASSABLE YES

Numerous other residential areas and roads are either flooded now, or in danger of flooding soon.  An updated & expanded list of flooded roads is available from the Ft. Bend County Office of Emergency Management.