Houston-area officials announce plans to prepare as Tropical Storm Nicholas moves in

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Tropical Storm Nicholas is moving closer to the Texas coastline, and for Houstonians, it’s time to get prepared.

Officials in the Houston-area said the possibility of our area seeing flash-flooding is their main concern.

HARRIS COUNTY

City leaders are warning residents about possible street flooding as the system moves in.

If you notice barricades on the road, officials say do not ignore them. It’s best to just turn around.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner addressed residents and the possible severity of the storm.

“Just because you don’t hear ‘Hurricane’, it could be a system developing in The Gulf,” Turner said. “And, with what we have seen, these systems can really accelerate very, very quickly.”

Turner said the Office of Emergency Management will be activated Monday morning.

Harris County officials are also operating with all hands on deck in anticipation for the storm’s arrival.

The county’s meteorologist Jeff Lindner said the Emergency Operation Center will be activated at a Level 3 on Monday, the second to lowest level.

GALVESTON COUNTY

Rain has already started in the Galveston area as of Sunday night.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said the county is under a Tropical Storm Watch as well as a Tropical Storm Surge Watch, as of Sunday night.

Galveston County officials are staging high water assets head of Tropical Storm Nicholas.

Heavy rains may possibly impact the coastal area through Wednesday.

Henry says officials have been told to anticipate up to 10″ of rain in the next 24 hours.