Weather

Derecho Comes to Towne Lake

On May 16, 2024, thousands of residents in Cypress were alerted to take cover as tornado warnings indicated a twister was approaching. In reality, Cypress experienced a derecho, a powerful straight-line wind storm. According to the National Weather Service, a derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.

In Towne Lake, many residents faced power and internet outages for several days. Meanwhile, the Heritage community was severely affected by an EF-1 tornado, causing extensive damage.

MUD 501 quickly responded by providing dumpsters for all Towne Lake residents to dispose of spoiled food and yard debris, a service greatly appreciated by the community.

The memory of this significant weather event will not soon be forgotten.

Dumpster Replacement & Reminder of Harris County Debris Removal Procedures

Due to the ongoing clean up efforts in Towne Lake, both the Heritage and Crossing dumpsters have again filled up.  MUD 501 has requested that Texas Pride remove and replace the dumpsters as soon as possible.  Replacement is expected  to occur on or about Wednesday, May 29th.  The MUD 501 Board continues to respectfully request that residents wait to dispose of additional debris until the new dumpsters have arrived. Please do not stack debris next to the dumpsters once they have filled up.

Harris County also is continuing with their curbside debris removal process, which is expected to continue for multiple weeks.  As a reminder, please report debris to Harris County’s debris hotline by calling 713-274-3880.  You also can call Precinct 3 dispatch at 713-274-3100, if the debris hotline is busy.

Please see the below graphic for information on sorting your debris to assist with Harris County’s collection efforts.  Please also avoid parking along the curb in front of or immediately across from debris piles if at all possible to avoid blocking collection trucks and equipment.

For more information on disaster recovery resources, please visit https://www.readyharris.org/Resources/Disaster-Recovery-Resources.

Delayed Dumpster Replacement

At 4 pm on Friday, May 24th, Texas Pride notified MUD 501 that they unfortunately were not able to remove the full dumpsters and deliver the new dumpsters to the Heritage and Crossing locations today.

Replacement of both dumpsters now is expected to occur on Saturday, May 25th.

We apologize for any inconvenience for the delay.

The MUD 501 Board continues to respectfully request that residents wait to dispose of additional debris until the new dumpsters have arrived. Please do not stack debris next to the dumpsters.

Reminder: Harris County Storm Debris Removal Procedures

As noted in an earlier update, Harris County will be providing curbside storm debris removal service throughout the County, including within MUD 501, in the coming weeks.

Please see the correspondence below from Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey regarding storm debris removal procedures, and be sure to contact the debris hotline at (713) 274-3880 to request debris removal.

Please place storm debris curbside according to the below graphic and do not include storm debris with your household garbage.  

Precinct 3 Residents,

Precinct 3 Road and Bridge crews and contracted trucks will be starting debris pick-up on Monday, May 20th. Our area stretches from The Villages up to Cypress, through Tomball, Spring, Humble, Atascocita, then down the San Jacinto River through Huffman, Crosby, Highlands, and Baytown to Channelview. We were especially hard hit in Cypress and The Villages areas.

We expect debris operations to last for weeks to months, so please be patient as we move through the affected areas. Each debris zone where debris has been reported will have assets assigned. Presence will be heavier in the most impacted areas.

The most impactful things you can do to help are as follows:

  • REPORT DEBRIS to our hotline by calling 713-274-3880, this greatly helps with planning and staging of assets. You can also call Precinct 3 dispatch at 713-274-3100, if the debris hotline is busy.
  • Follow the debris staging/sorting guidelines in the attached handout (vegetative, construction, appliances, electronics, hazardous).
  • If at all possible, do not park cars on the street near or across from debris piles. Our trucks and equipment are very large and if an area is not able to be accessed we will have to return later once obstructions have been removed.

Please know that we understand how traumatic and disruptive an event like this can be. Many of our crews who will be working in your areas are also Precinct 3 residents with property damage and power outages… this makes us especially proud to be serving you. Thank you for your partnership in the recovery efforts.

Sincerely,
Tom Ramsey Commissioner Precinct 3

 

Replacement Dumpsters

As you may have seen, both the Heritage and Crossing roll-off dumpsters have been filled to capacity.  MUD 501 understands there still is more clean-up work to do and has authorized Texas Pride to haul off and replace the dumpsters.  The removal of the full dumpsters and replacement with new ones is expected to occur on Friday, May 24th. 

The MUD 501 Board respectfully requests that residents wait to dispose of additional debris until the new dumpsters have arrived. Please do not stack debris next to the dumpsters.  We appreciate your cooperation as we work to recover from this unexpected disaster.

Update on Dumpster Delivery and *NEW* Harris County Storm Debris Removal

Due to impacts on Texas Pride’s operations from the recent storm, the delivery of the roll-off dumpsters to the previously specified Crossing and Heritage locations unfortunately has been delayed until Tuesday, May 21, 2024, by 11 a.m.  We apologize for the delay but ask for your patience as we continue to clean up from this major regional storm event.

Although the dumpsters are one immediate way MUD 501 is trying to help our community recover from the storm, there are numerous federal, state, and local resources that are or will become available in the coming weeks.  One important resource is Harris County’s curbside storm debris removal program.  Please see the graphic below for information on how to sort storm debris for curbside collection by Harris County’s crews.  Please be patient as the County’s collection efforts may take multiple weeks to complete.  To report home damage and request debris pick up, please call Harris County’s Debris Hotline, at (713) 274-3880, or e-mail homeflooding@harriscountytx.gov.

For more information about available disaster recovery resources, please visit https://www.readyharris.org.

 

Storm Recovery – Special Garbage and Debris Collection Guidelines

As you know, Towne Lake was hit very hard by Thursday’s storm, with significant wind and other damage throughout the community and continued issues due to the extended power outage that has followed. In order to help with the recovery efforts, MUD 501 has arranged with its garbage and recycling provider, Texas Pride, to have roll-off dumpsters delivered by Monday to the following locations: (1) the field on the west side of the intersection of Yaupon Point Ct. and E Highlands Bayou Dr. in the Heritage; and (2) the parking lot at the Towne Lake Memorial Park, located near the intersection of Greenhouse Rd. and Cornerstone Arbor Dr. near the Crossing. Towne Lake residents may use the dumpsters free of charge to dispose of household waste, such as spoiled food items, and storm debris.  Please do not dispose of any liquid paint or other hazardous waste in the dumpsters.

Due to the significant regional impacts of the recent storm, Texas Pride also is putting special garbage and recycling guidelines in place during the week of May 20th for the Tuesday and Friday garage door and curbside collection services in MUD 501.  During this week, only putrescible (household) waste will be collected, no yard waste. Please CLEARLY SEPARATE your household garbage from your yard waste.  Please bag your household waste in bags or containers under 50 pounds and label it FOOD WASTE.

Texas Pride also offers individual paid collection services to residents who have a large volume of piled storm or other debris.  You can visit https://www.texaspridedisposal.com/cleanup.html to fill out a survey and submit photos of the debris, and Texas Pride will contact you with an individual quote for removal.  Please contact Texas Pride, at 281-342-8178, with any questions or to request additional information.

The MUD 501 Board anticipates substantial additional information and resources will be available in the coming weeks.  We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.  Our thoughts and prayers are with our community through this difficult time.

Notice to Customer Regarding Extreme Weather Emergency

The Public Utility Commission’s rule in Title 16, Chapter 24 Texas Admin. Code § 24.173(d) prohibits your water and sewer provider from imposing a late fee or from disconnecting your retail water or sewer service for nonpayment of bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency until after the emergency is over.

An extreme weather emergency is defined as a period beginning when the previous day’s highest temperature in your area did not exceed 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature is predicted to remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours according to the nearest National Weather Service reports for your area.  For purposes of these requirements, an extreme weather emergency is over on the second business day the temperature exceeds 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Your water and sewer provider is required to offer a payment schedule if you timely request a payment schedule.  If you are affected by an extreme weather emergency, you may request a payment schedule from your water and sewer provider for unpaid bills that are due during the extreme weather emergency.

If you timely request a payment schedule, your water and sewer provider is prohibited from disconnecting service for nonpayment of bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency.  However, once a payment schedule is offered, disconnections may resume if you (1) decline to accept the payment schedule in a timely manner, or (2) violate the terms of the payment schedule.

If you have a bill from your water and sewer provider due during an extreme weather emergency, then you qualify to request a payment schedule by contacting our office at: Customer Service at 832-467-1599, 8 AM – 5 PM,  M-F.

Aviso Al Cliente Sobre Emergencia Por Condiciones Del Tiempo Extremas

La regla de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos en el Título 16, Capítulo 24, del Código Administrativo de Texas § 24.173(d) prohíbe a su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado imponer un cargo por mora o desconectar su servicio minorista de agua o alcantarillado por falta de pago de las facturas adeudadas durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas hasta después de que la emergencia haya terminado.

Una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas se define como un periodo que comienza cuando la temperatura más alta del día previo en su área no superó los 28 grados Fahrenheit y se prevé que la temperatura permanecerá en ese nivel o debajo de él durante las siguientes 24 horas según los informes más cercanos del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional para su área.   A efectos de estos requisitos, una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas finaliza el segundo día laborable en que la temperatura supera los 28 grados Fahrenheit.

Su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado debe ofrecer un programa de pago si usted lo solicita oportunamente.   Si se ve afectado por una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas, puede solicitar un programa de pago a su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado para las facturas impagas adeudadas durante la emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas.

Si solicita oportunamente un programa de pago, su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado tiene prohibido desconectar el servicio por falta de pago de las facturas impagas adeudadas durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas.   Sin embargo, una vez que se ofrece un programa de pago, las desconexiones pueden reanudarse si usted (1) se niega a aceptar oportunamente el programa de pago, o (2) viola los términos del programa de pago.

Si tiene una factura de su proveedor de agua y alcantarillado impaga adeudada durante una emergencia por condiciones del tiempo extremas, entonces tiene derecho a solicitar un programa de pago comunicándose con nuestra oficina en: servicio al cliente at 832-467-1599, 8 AM – 5 PM,  M-F.

Freezing Weather Notification

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected this week across Texas. The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday morning (12/23 – 12/24). In such conditions, it is imperative to protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.

People

  • Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets

  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants

  • Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.

As it pertains to the dripping of faucets, we are asking and advising our residents and customers NOT to drip their faucets. This could cause a dip in water pressure at your facility. If you reside within the greater Houston area and are part of the Regional Water Authorities (West Harris County Regional Water Authority, North Fort Bend Regional Water Authority, North Harris County Regional Water Authority), or receive water from the City of Houston, dripping faucets will put a strain on the system resulting in low pressure or even depleting the water system.

The following sites can also be used as a source of information and to keep you updated: