Key keywords: Houston Flood Watch, Southeast Texas heavy rain threat, Houston live weather radar, Harris County flood warning, Gulf of Mexico moisture, Houston urban flooding, Texas severe weather forecast, Harris County emergency shelters The National Weather Service (NWS) Houston/Galveston office issued a widespread Flood Watch for 12 counties across Southeast Texas on Wednesday morning, with the advisory in effect through 7 p.m. Thursday as a slow-moving storm system pulls massive amounts of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico into the region. Forecasters warn that total rainfall accumulations will reach 2 to 4 inches for most of the greater Houston metro area, with isolated pockets seeing as much as 6 inches of rain if slow-moving thunderstorms stall over the same area for multiple hours. Real-time radar data as of Wednesday afternoon shows a line of moderate to heavy thunderstorms stretching from College Station down to Galveston Island, moving east at just 5 miles per hour – a pace that significantly raises flood risk for low-lying and poorly drained areas. Already, local transportation officials have reported 17 road closures across Harris County, mostly on neighborhood side streets in the Acres Homes, Third Ward, and Katy areas, as well as two exit ramps on Interstate 10 westbound near downtown Houston. No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported as of press time, though Harris County Emergency Management confirmed 14 water rescue calls were fielded between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, all involving drivers who attempted to cross flooded roadways. City officials are reminding residents of the state’s “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” campaign, noting that as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and 12 inches of water can float most passenger vehicles. Three emergency shelters have been opened across the county for residents who are displaced by flooding, with capacity for up to 800 people, and pet-friendly accommodations are available at all locations. Forecasters note that the rain will taper off gradually Thursday evening, with partly sunny skies returning on Friday and high temperatures climbing back into the mid-80s by the weekend. However, a secondary weather system moving through the region early next week could bring additional scattered showers, so residents are advised to keep emergency kits stocked and monitor official forecasts for updates. Real-time radar, road closure, and shelter information is available 24/7 on the Harris County Office of Emergency Management website, as well as the city of Houston’s official social media channels.