More rain expected this weekend across southeast Texas

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Keep the umbrella handy for the next few days.

Plenty of moisture, warm temperatures and a couple of fronts will keep our weather unsettled through the weekend. The biggest threats will be brief heavy rain, dangerous lightning and even weak funnel clouds or waterspouts. No warnings are currently in place.

Some of our Eyewitness Storm Spotters have picked up over an inch of rain Thursday. While some minor street flooding has been reported during the downpours, there have been no widespread problems.

A weak front will move in on Friday, providing the focus for more heavy thundershowers. Another 1-2 inches could fall in some neighborhoods.

The mid-levels of the atmosphere dries out a little on Saturday, which should allow a few peeks of sun to shine through the clouds. But a few more showers could still develop on Saturday and more rain is likely on Sunday.

You can see where it's raining now on our street-level interactive weather map, which includes radar, satellite, lightning strikes, and much more.

Thanks to more clouds and showers, highs for most of us will stay in the 80s into next week.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Weather »

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Heavy rain, storms expected today, Friday

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We're on alert for heavy rain and severe storms across southeast Texas.

We could see some of the storms move in as early as this afternoon and into this evening. More widespread coverage is expected on Friday. Then some rain will likely stick around into Saturday.

The biggest severe weather threats will be heavy, flooding rains and damaging winds, but hail and isolated tornadoes are possible.

Meteorologist Travis Herzog will be following the storms today to let you know what to expect as you prepare for your day. Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for updates as they become available.

If you're on the go, take our coverage with you using an ABC13 mobile app.

You can also get updates on the ABC13 Weather Facebook page and Twitter account.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Spring ISD expected to increase taxes

SPRING, TX (KTRK) -- A big property tax hike could be coming for those living in the Spring Independent School District. Like districts all across the state, Spring ISD is hurting for money. Now, those who live in its borders could wind up paying more on their property taxes.

It's a tough situation, as the school district is getting less money from the state, and as some property values in the area are declining. Put those two factors together, and it means residents are having to pay out more money.

The Ortega family grew up in the Spring school district. But Jennette Ortega isn't sure that her daughter is getting a better education than she did.

She said, "I actually went to Spring, and my brother did as well, and we've always had transportation no matter where we've lived. Now my daughter is the next generation in Spring, and now we're not sure if she'll have the bus transportation."

Spring ISD is cutting bus service to all students living within two miles. But that's not the biggest budget surprise. Homeowners are just beginning to find out that their tax rate is expected to increase 11 cents per $100 valuation.

Spring ISD homeowner Herb Baker said, "I definitely am against it. I think most of the taxpayers out here will be against it."

But Spring ISD, like school districts across the state, says it had little choice. The Republican-controlled legislature slashed $4 billion from public education funding during its most recent session and local school districts must make up the shortfall.

"School finance doesn't look like it's going to get any easier," said Spring ISD spokesperson Karen Garrison. "I would suggest that parents contact their legislators and talk to them, let them know their concerns about the impact."

The school district says the 11 cents tax hike is just an estimate, and that final tax rates won't be set until this fall.

Ortega would like to know why she's paying more for less.

"It doesn't make me happy that I'm going to pay them more and yet they're going to take away the busing," Ortega said.

School bus transportation is not the only item that's expected to change for Spring ISD and school districts across the state. When students return to school this fall, classroom sizes are expected to be larger in the wake of eliminated teaching positions.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Road congestion expected during Ironman Texas races

  THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK) -- The inaugural Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas is today in The Woodlands. More than 2,500 athletes from around the world are visiting The Woodlands to test their physical and mental limits.

Participants are racing throughout the community as they complete a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.

The routes were chosen to highlight the various areas that organizers feel showcase the unique setting of The Woodlands. They ask that you proceed with caution and allow for additional travel time to your destination.

AREAS OF CONGESTION:

WOODLANDS PARKWAY One lane closed from Grogans Mill to F.M. 2978, 7:30 to 9:45am

WOODLANDS PARKWAY One lane closed from Branch Crossing Drive to Grogans Mill, 11am to 5:30pm

HONEA EGYPT ROAD & F.M. 1488 Congested intersection, 7:45 to 10am

JACKSON ROAD & F.M. 1488 Congested intersection, 10:45am to 3:30pm

F.M. 2854 & HWY 105 Congested intersection, 8:30am to 11:30pm

F.M. 1486 & HWY 105 Congested intersection, 10:30am to 3pm

LAKE ROBBINS ROAD Congestion from Grogans Mill to Six Pines, 4:30am to midnight

E. PANTHER CREEK & LAKE WOODLANDS DRIVE One lane closed, noon to midnight

MARKET STREET Marathon finish line: noon to midnight

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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