UPDATE 1: The City of Houston has activated the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to assist City Departments and responding agencies as they coordinate the response to the heavy rain and flash flooding occurring this weekend. In addition, City response agencies have begun pre-staging assets citywide to assist in high water and swift water rescues. With rainfall rates expected to reach 8-12 inches over the next few days and isolated totals exceeding 15 inches, the City expects to see street flooding and the potential for flash flood conditions over the next few days. Residents are advised to avoid travel beginning Saturday afternoon through Monday morning, as rainfall materializes.The City is asking resident to avoid travel this evening and into Sunday, as significant rainfall is expected to cause flash flooding.  A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until Monday morning for the City of Houston and surrounding areas.Residents who must travel are asked to plan extra time, and to not drive through areas of high water.  If water is too deep to see the street, it is too deep for a vehicle.  It takes only 12 inches of water to float a vehicle, and cause a very dangerous situation. Residents should be prepared to shelter-in-place if a Tornado Warning is issued for their area.  This means they should seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor possible of their home.Residents are asked to report flooding in streets and structures to Houston 311 by calling 311 (713.837.0311), online at houston311.org and using the  Houston 311 Mobile App.The City will be communicating to the public via the City's emergency alert system, AlertHouston.  Residents can sign up at houstontx.gov/emergency or follow
@AlertHouston on Twitter and on Facebook (facebook.com/alerthouston). 4951