Pumps Stations are Operational

For everybody asking us to “turn on the pumps” please understand that the pumps have been on for the last 48 hours. We have received over three inches of rain in a 2 hour period. The inlets and storm sewers are inundated. The streets are ponding.

To be perfectly clear, the pumps stations are on and operational.

Be safe out there.

Brazos River Update – 5/7/19 at 11:00 AM

Brazos River Forecast

Over the past 24 hours, we have seen the forecasts from Hempstead to Richmond lowered. As of this morning, Hempstead is forecasted to hit Gage Elevation 47 feet tomorrow morning with San Felipe hitting Gage Elevation 119.6 Thursday morning. In Richmond, the forecast has dropped 1 foot since yesterday morning and is currently showing Richmond hitting Gage Elevation 46.4 on Friday morning.

Rainfall Potential and Severe Weather Outlook

Fort Bend County had a relatively quiet night with the majority of precipitation staying primarily to our west and north. Overall those areas appeared to receive less than an inch with the average closer to 0.1 to 0.2 inches. That should change today, as we have increased chances for rain starting this afternoon. Based on the current forecasts, we have between a 60 to 70 percent chance for rain through the end of the day with possible rainfall amounts between 0.5 to 1.5 inches across the region.

The most severe weather is currently forecasted to start Wednesday with increased threats of damaging winds and hail. The Severe Weather Outlook for Wednesday shows Fort Bend County with a slight risk for this severe weather. Based on the current forecasts, portions of the Brazos River watershed could see an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain on Wednesday.

The biggest threat of rain continues to be Thursday through Sunday. There is still a good amount of uncertainty on the exact location and rainfall amounts toward the end of the week, but generally, much of the lower Brazos River watershed could see between 2 to 6 inches of rain through Sunday with some areas potentially receiving as much as 7 to 8 inches. We will be continuing to monitor the conditions and provide additional updates as we get closer to Thursday and confidence increases in the rainfall forecast.

With elevated levels and saturated soils, we recommend that everyone stay information by visiting the Fort Bend Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management website and the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston website for updates as things develop.

Important Harvey Relief Program for Homeowners

Here is important information about a new program the State is administering to help with reimbursement for Hurricane Harvey related repairs. Please contact the GLO office directly if you need help, or Congressman Olson’s office for assistance.


Do you have out-of-pocket expenses from home repairs from Hurricane Harvey? If so, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) just announced they have a program that may help you cover the cost!

The GLO will start accepting applications THIS THURSDAY for the new Homeowner Reimbursement Program. With this program, eligible homeowners can apply to receive up to $50,000 to cover out-of-pocket expenses from Harvey repairs. Folks in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties who have completed their repairs prior to the application launch date (Thursday, February 28, 2019) are encouraged to apply. Residents of Harris County and the City of Houston are not eligible, but both the city and county will have a similar program for homeowners. Please visit the GLO’s website for more information and to apply. Funds are limited, so folks are encouraged to apply as soon as the application goes live, on Thursday, February 28, 2019. The website has a list of the documents you will need to include with your application. You can also email cdr@recovery.texas.gov or call 1-844-475-5000 if you have any questions about the program. Also, please contact my office at 281-494-2690 if you have any Harvey recovery related questions. My staff is happy to help however they can.

I’m honored to represent you in Congress. For more information or to sign up for my E-newsletter, please visit my website, www.olson.house.gov.

Very respectfully,
Pete Olson