Fort Bend County officials have announced the closure of all county offices on Monday in anticipation of the impact of Tropical Storm Beryl on the greater Houston metro area. The decision was made to ensure the safety of residents and employees as the storm approaches.
County Judge KP George stated that offices will resume normal business operations on Tuesday following the storm. The county is bracing for potential tropical storm force winds, flash flooding, power outages, tornadoes, and road closures as Beryl is forecasted to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane.
Greg Babst, Fort Bend Emergency Management Director, indicated that the county is expected to receive between 8-10 inches of rain, with isolated areas possibly experiencing up to 15 inches. Residents are advised to heed the warning to 'hide from the wind, run from the water' and shelter in place during the storm.
Jeff Janecek, first assistant engineer at the Fort Bend Drainage District, shared plans to utilize the Brazos River, San Bernardo River, and Parker Reservoir to manage the excess rainfall from the storm. Additionally, high water vehicles and rescue boats have been mobilized by the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office to assist in potential rescue operations.
Sheriff Eric Fagan emphasized the importance of staying off roadways during the storm and urged residents to prepare for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency. Fagan stressed the need to act promptly to gather supplies and cautioned against venturing out once conditions deteriorate.
Following the passage of Tropical Storm Beryl, storm shelters will be opened as necessary to provide refuge for residents. These shelters will also serve as cooling centers due to expected high temperatures in the Fort Bend area.
