Houston residents can use the Harris County Flood Warning System to track real-time rainfall and flooding.
HOUSTON — Flooding in Houston can happen fast, sometimes with just a few inches of rain. But a free tool from the Harris County Flood Control District can help you stay safer before the water rises.
Anytime severe weather moves into Houston, the Harris County Flood Warning System lets you track rainfall and rising water near your home in real time. Here’s how it works — and how you can sign up for free alerts that could help protect your family.
Real-time rainfall and flood monitoring
The Flood Warning System is a public tool that uses hundreds of gauges across Harris County to monitor rainfall and flooding.
When you open the online map:
- Blue numbers show real-time rainfall totals near your location.
- You can zoom in to see gauges closest to your home.
- Click on a specific site to view detailed rainfall and water level data.
Rainfall totals can be viewed for different time frames, from the last 15 minutes to the past year, giving you a real-time picture of rain trends around you.
Channel status: Know when flooding is likely
Another feature of the system is the Channel Status map, which shows current bayou conditions:
- Green means no flooding.
- Yellow signals flooding is possible.
- Red means flooding is likely, and water may be rising out of banks.
This feature can help you assess flood risks around major roads, neighborhoods, and common flood-prone areas.
How to find your nearest gauge and sign up for alerts
You can quickly find flood gauges near your home:
- Search by address to locate the nearest monitoring site.
- Use dropdown menus to select gauges by agency or location.
- Once you locate your nearest gauge, you can sign up for text and email alerts.
This way, you’ll get real-time notifications when heavy rainfall or rising water threatens your neighborhood.
Why this tool matters
“Anytime we have severe weather in Houston, things can escalate quickly,” said Emily Waddell with the Harris County Flood Control District. “This really shows you, and gives you the ability to see what’s happening in real time around Harris County.”
Officials say having this information can help you:
- Stay off flooded roads.
- Decide when to shelter in place.
- Make evacuation decisions early.
“This is crucial information,” Waddell said. “We just feel that it’s so important for folks to have the data in their own hands.”
Where to sign up
To access the Flood Warning System and sign up for alerts, visit:
ReadyHarris.org
Officials recommend signing up now before the next storm.