Officials monitor rainfall, river levels

According to National Weather Service (NWS) reports Hurricane Harvey continues to bring torrential rains and catastrophic flooding to Texas.

Harvey has brought more than 20 inches of rain to portions of south, south central and southeast Texas since Thursday night. The forward motion with Harvey has stalled. Due to this slow motion, another 15 to 25 inches of rainfall is expected through Thursday. Storm totals in some locations may approach 50 inches. This is producing devastating flooding.

According to City Manager Sean Lally the city had an estimated rainfall of 18.5 inches. Lally got this figure from the rain gauge at Robert M. Dreyer Memorial Airport.

“During this catastrophic event, the city has prepared and made every effort possible to mitigate risk by cleaning creeks, ditches and drains,” Lally said. “This has been an around the clock city wide effort, which has relied on the dedication of all staff, council, the mayor and outside entities. I praise all for their teamwork. We are currently monitoring the developing weather. The city's first priority is keeping everyone safe and levels of service maintained.”

The storm has moved south east and is stalled back at the coast, but warnings are still in effect across Texas.

Flash Flood Warning: For Gonzales the warning is in effect through tomorrow (Wednesday).

Flood Warning: Flooding is expected to affect the Guadalupe river at Gonzales and at Cuero, Plum Creek near Luling and Sandies Creek Near Westhoff. The flood warnings are in effect through Sept. 1.

With unpredictable weather conditions, significant rainfall and flooding having occurred NWS has been updating river predictions every 15 minutes throughout the weekend.

As of press time yesterday, the river had reached a depth of 42.21 feet, putting the river into the moderate flood range. Predictive forecasts expect the Guadalupe River at Gonzales to rise to 44 feet or more by noon today (Tuesday), placing the river in the range of severe flooding.

Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA) officials said even though it may appear river levels are holding steady or tapering, the prediction is for the river to reach 44 feet today and the best information on depth and flows comes from NWS.

"We do not deviate from NWS predictions," GBRA Exec. Manager for Strategic Communications and Education, LaMarriol Smith said. "The rise could be for one of two reasons: Another rain band, or a combination of rainfall/runoff and river flows coming from upstream of Gonzales."