League City sits in a Level 2 flood risk zone as Gov. Greg Abbott activated more than 1,900 state emergency responders Monday, Sept. 28, ahead of heavy rainfall expected across Texas later this week.
The activation adds state resources to a flood threat the League City area has been tracking since last week. Moisture from Hurricane Polo is combining with an approaching low-pressure system to push rain across the state, with Thursday marking the main period of heavy rainfall for Southeast Texas.
Abbott announced the move at a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Austin. He directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy the additional resources, and the State Operations Center began around-the-clock operations at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28.
"I have activated additional state emergency response resources ahead of heavy rainfall and flash flooding … Texans should monitor local forecasts, avoid flooded roadways, and heed guidance from state and local officials," Abbott said.
What the state has deployed
The 1,900-plus responders and more than 1,500 pieces of equipment include swiftwater rescue boat squads from Texas A&M Task Force 1, Texas National Guard personnel with Blackhawk helicopters, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens with rescue boats, and Department of Public Safety troopers and helicopters. Medics and ambulances from the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force are also staged.
Other agencies are monitoring infrastructure. The Public Utility Commission is tracking power outages, the Railroad Commission is watching natural gas supply, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring air, water and wastewater systems.
This is the second emergency activation Abbott has ordered this month. He directed TDEM to activate resources for an earlier round of severe weather last week.
Thursday flood risk for League City
NWS Houston confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 29, that portions of Southeast Texas, including the League City area, sit in a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 4) for excessive rainfall Thursday. KHOU 11 meteorologist Chita Craft placed the area east of western Harris County, including League City, in a Level 1 threat for the broader storm event. The two assessments may reflect different time windows.
KPRC 2 reported the heaviest totals are expected to stay west of Houston, but isolated spots in Southeast Texas could see heavy rain leading to street flooding. CW39 reported rainfall totals could top 2 inches Thursday, with locally heavier amounts possible if a front stalls.
Craft said the biggest flood threat sits in the Hill Country and Central Texas, where 3 to 5 inches are expected. San Antonio, Austin, Waco and Dallas face a Level 3 threat.
What residents should do
Never drive through floodwater.
The state warns that floodwaters can be deeper and faster-moving than they appear. Residents can check real-time road conditions at the DriveTexas website, flood information at TexasFlood.org and preparedness tips at the TDEM website.
No League City or Galveston County emergency management statement specific to this activation has been released as of Tuesday, Sept. 29.
