Already this morning, drivers have run into high waters along freeways and roadways. High water was reported at northbound Highway 288, near Loop 610. Officials also said there were problems on the southbound Interstate 45 HOV lane, with exit closures at Shepherd and downtown Houston.
By daybreak, however, the heaviest storms were west and north of Harris County, and were moving off to the northeast.
"We're in stand-by mode right now," said Keith LeJeune, a manager with the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.
Officials said water levels were rising at Greens Bayou and Highway 59, Brays Bayou at Lawndale, Halls Bayou at Jensen, Hunting Bayou at Lockwood and at Loop 610, Garners Bayou at Beltway 8 and Clear Creek at Highway 288.
Overnight in Brazoria County, Angleton officials said dozens of people had to be rescued from their homes because of high waters. "It's some of the worst flooding I've seen," Lt. Mike Jones told KPRC this morning.
Galveston ISD has cancelled classes today as has UH-Downtown, including its distance programs. The main campus of the University of Houston will open at noon.
METRO is experiencing delays in some of its routes.
Most Park Rides are in operation, but many local routes have been delayed. METRORail is running normally.
HISD has cancelled classes at the following schools: Petersen Elementary, Key Middle School; Houston Gardens Elementary, Kashmere Gardens Elementary, Cook Elementary, Northline Elementary, Fonville Middle, Concord Early Childhood Center, Fleming Middle, Isaacs Elementary, McDade Elementary, Bowie Elementary, Berry Elementary, and Kashmere High School.
HISD is having school elsewhere today but spokesman Terry Abbott encouraged parents to use good judgment. Parents should look at weather and road conditions in their areas and if they don't feel it is safe to send children to school, "by all means, keep them at home," Abbott said.
Complicating weather matters, officials said, has been a persistent east and southeast wind associated with the storms that has elevated tide levels two- to three-feet above normal.
"This is preventing the bayous from discharging excess water, and the tidal issue is really complicating matters," said Chuck Roeseler, a senior forecaster at the Houston/Galveston office of the National Weather Service.
As a result a coastal flood warning, a flash flood warning and a tornado watch are in effect for much of the greater Houston area through at least noon today.
Forecasters expect the current round of thunderstorms -- generated by a warm front moving off the Gulf of Mexico -- to dissipate by late morning.
But they expect another series of disturbances in the upper atmosphere to reach the area later this afternoon and evening, which has the potential of bringing another 1-2 inches across Harris and surrounding counties.
"The area is pretty saturated right now, hopefully there will be a break between the systems to allow us to dry out a little," Roeseler said.
Many area bayous, such as Greens and Cypress Creek and Clear Creek bayous, were approaching flood stages, and Cypress Creek was expected to crest above its banks this afternoon near Westfield.
Local officials are most concerned that the afternoon rainfall could push the bayous past a tipping point.
"That could definitely cause some home flooding," Lejeune said of substantial afternoon rainfall.
Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be drier, and warmer, allowing the area to recover.
A cold front is expected on Thursday, which could bring a brief shot of rain, but nothing that approaches the rain events of Sunday and what's expected today.
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