According to the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service, Hurricane Laura is strengthening rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall by early Thursday, Aug. 27 as a major hurricane.
The City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated and is currently at Level II (High Readiness). A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Missouri City and officials continue to monitor the progression of this storm, but no evacuations have been ordered thus far.
Citizens are advised to be prepared and follow the latest updates on Hurricane Laura. And, to stay connected, staff has compiled a few frequently asked questions:
Where can I find emergency updates?
All real-time emergency updates will be made on the City’s two official Emergency Management outlets www.missouricityready.com and www.twitter.com/MissouriCityEM. Residents are strongly encouraged to follow these channels for all the latest emergency updates. Information will also be available on the other City outlets including Facebook; Nextdoor; Twitter; the City’s main website, www.missouricitytx.gov; Missouri City Television (MCTV) and 1690 AM radio station as they become available.
Does the City have an emergency management website?
Yes, www.MissouriCityReady.com and citizens may sign-up to receive alerts during an emergency.
Is the City under a voluntary or mandatory evacuation?
Not as of noon Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Are there currently any shelters set-up in the City?
No, shelters will be set-up if the need arises.
How can I protect my property?
Residents are advised to secure loose items from your yard and keep windows/doors secured. In addition, please move cars from roads to garages/driveways to avoid getting flooded, allow proper drainage of rainwater to storm sewers and clear roads for easy passage for emergency vehicles.
If I need sand bags, who do I contact?
Citizens may contact Fort Bend County by calling 281.342.3411.
Will the solid waste service be interrupted?
The City’s municipal solid waste provider WCA Waste Corp. has suspended all services including recycling as of 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Depending on the impact of Hurricane Laura in the region, normal waste services may resume Thursday, Aug. 27. Any changes to this will be shared on all communication outlets.
Should trashcans be placed outside today for Thursday pickup?
Residents are encouraged to keep trashcans inside tonight due to the high wind probability with Hurricane Laura. If the storm passes without major impact to the region, citizens may place the containers out by 7 a.m. on Thursday to be picked up.
Will the Quail Valley Golf Course & City Centre close?
To ensure the safety of employees and residents, the Quail Valley Golf Course has modified operation hours as follows:
- For Wednesday, Aug. 26:
- Last Tee Time will be at noon
- The Golf Shop will close at 4 p.m.
- The Bluebonnet Grille will close at 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 27:
- The Golf Shop will open at 7:30 a.m.
- * Operations for this day will depend on the impacts of Hurricane Laura in the region
Will the Recreation & Tennis Center continue to be open to the public?
The Recreation & Tennis Center will close by 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Operations may resume at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday pending impacts of the hurricane.
Who do I notify when a traffic signal no longer works?
To report traffic signal outage, please call the non-emergency line at 281.403.8700.
Who do I contact about a downed tree blocking traffic and/or a sidewalk?
To report trees on roads/sidewalks, please call the non-emergency line at 281.403.8700.
Who is responsible for removing fallen trees on my property after a storm/hurricane?
The home owner/renter is responsible for removing fallen trees (or other debris) from their property.
How do I report damage or high water on my street?
To report street damage or flooding, please call the non-emergency line at 281.403.8700.
How can I report a power outage or downed power line?
To report power outages or a downed power line, citizens may contact CenterPoint Energy by calling 713.207.2222 or 800.332.7143 or visiting their Storm Center website page via this link: https://bit.ly/32upuf8.
What are some other important numbers/information?
- Police and Fire Departments: 911 or 281.403.8700
- CenterPoint Energy: 713.207.2222
- American Red Cross, Fort Bend County Branch: 281.342.9480
- Enable Fort Bend (www.enablefortbend.com): This County agency assists individuals with special needs during an emergency or natural disaster. Staff may be reached at 281.238.3514
- Missouri City Television: Comcast Ch. 16; AT&T U-verse Ch. 99
- WQMN – 1690 AM: Missouri City’s emergency advisory radio station
For more information about Missouri City, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store.)
