HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thousands of people and at least five schools have lost power in Houston and some city roads have flooded after powerful thunderstorms prompted tornado warnings and dropped hail and several inches of rain.
The storm and tornado warnings ended early Monday, but more rain is expected in Houston. The city has already increased its readiness level to be prepared for flooding-related evacuations.
Many city streets are already flooded. Some drivers got caught in rising water.
All main lanes of Highway 288 have been completely shut down in both directions at the I-610 South Loop due to high water. Check on the latest high water locations affecting roads. Drivers are advised to never drive into water over the road.
METRORail service is now operating from Smithlands north to UH Downtown. Service remains disrupted from Smithlands to Fannin South due to extremely high water. Bus bridges are being maintained to help transport passengers.
Meanwhile, severe weather conditions are causing some delays to bus service and patrons should plan for longer transit times. Please check with METRO at 713-635-4000 if you have questions about bus service or visit www.ridemetro.org.
On the Katy Freeway eastbound traffic is being diverted onto METRO's HOV extension due to severe flooding on the freeway. The Katy HOV extension will be open to all traffic until flooding is reduced.
Rainfall totals for the last 24 hours can be found on the Harris County Flood Warning System website.
Centerpoint Energy reported outages affecting about 19,600 customers. The Houston Independent School District says five of its campuses lost power. See the latest information on the CenterPoint Energy Outage Tracker.
According to the Harris County Flood Control District, all bayous are very high, but within their banks, except for lower Brays Bayou at Lawndale. The channel is almost three feet over banks in this area.
HISD will not cancel after-school events. However, individual schools can make decisions based on what is best for the campus based on reports of conditions near individual schools. Schools have the capacity to communicate directly to students, parents and staff.
The HISD bus fleet will operate based on its regular dismissal scheduled. However, high water on roads and traffic have the potential to delay bus arrivals to drop-off locations. We ask parents and guardians to please be patient as our bus drivers choose the safest course to get children home.
Emergency management officials in Missouri City are urging people to stay home, if possible. If you must travel, use extreme caution and please do not drive through flooded areas. Water may be deeper than it appears or roadways may have been washed away.
As of noon, the following flooded roads have been reported in the Missouri City area: 5th Street at FM1092Brightwater Drive at Lexington BoulevardBeltway 8 at Fondren RoadFM 1092 at Lexington Common StreetFonmeadow Drive at Fondren RoadUS 90A
CenterPoint is reporting power outages in the Fort Bend area due to high winds, extreme lightning and heavy rain falls. Technicians are working to restore service as soon as possible. Missouri City Police officers, Firefighters and Public Works crews are monitoring the weather situation and are prepared to respond to all emergencies.
The University of Houston is asking students and faculty to avoid traveling to campus until flooding subsides. The UHDPS has dispatched crews in response on passable roads, but reports that some are stranded on campus.
These roadways are experiencing flooding:
Intersection of Cullen Blvd. and Wheeler St.Entrance 16 at CullenEntrance 17 at ElginSpur 5 entrance on I-45N3800 block of Wheeler St. (Near the Child Care Center)Wheeler St. between Calhoun and Spur 5Spur 5 at Elgin St. (Lockwood underpass)
In case of an emergency, the UHDPS advises calling 911 or 713-743-3333.
The Medical Center flooding command staff has closed the entrances to five garages. They automatically close those entrances when the water in the Harris Gully Box Culvert off of Highway 288 hits 10 feet. When the water hits 14 feet, the exits will be closed as well. At 11:30am, the water is at 13 feet in the box culvert.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area and parts of West Texas also got drenched Monday.
The widespread soaking comes as Texas contends with one of the worst droughts on record.
School closures:
Evening classes at Liberty High School, located at 6400 Southwest Freeway, have been cancelled due to high water in the parking lot and on roads surrounding the campus. Notifications have been sent directly to staff and students.Lamar Consolidated ISD has cancelled afternoon Pre-K classes. Morning Pre-K classes will be transported home as safe to do so.College of Biblical Studies - Due to the severe weather and street flooding at the CBS campus afternoon classes are cancelled. Evening classes are currently planning to meet as scheduled unless the weather conditions should continue. Ocean Corporation is cancelling classes for today, January 9
Court information:
The City of Houston Municipal Courts remains open. However, those individuals who are scheduled to appear in court and are unable to make a court appearance due to inclement weather will have the opportunity to reset their cases.
If you are set for arraignment (first appearance): You may request a trial setting or send proof of compliance by mail. You may request the DSC (Driving Safety Course) or Deferred Disposition by mail. Visit the court's website at www.houstontx.gov/courts to download the forms needed for each option. Items postmarked through Saturday, January 14, 2012 will be accepted for these requests.
If you are scheduled for trial, resets will be given in person at all court locations beginning Tuesday, January 10 through Saturday, January 14. Citizens are reminded that payments can be made online, via Wester Union or by mail.
If individuals fail to reset their cases or fail to resolve their case by Saturday, January 14, a warrant for your arrest may be issued.
If you caught photos or video of the severe weather, you can upload them at iWitness.abc13.com or email them to news@abc13.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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