Quick-rising water sparks flash flooding in Houston on soggy Fourth of July

The Buffalo Bayou floodwater rises to level with the fences for the Freedom Over Texas concert after heavy rainfall on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in Houston. The concert was cancelled after Buffalo Bayou flooded and compromised the Eleanor Tinsley Park. less The Buffalo Bayou floodwater rises to level with the fences for the Freedom Over Texas concert after heavy rainfall on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in Houston. The concert was cancelled after Buffalo Bayou flooded ... more Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 122 Caption Close Quick-rising water sparks flash flooding in Houston on soggy Fourth of July 1 / 122 Back to Gallery

Rumbling thunderstorms almost beat out the booms of fireworks in southeast Texas as rains pounded the Bayou City on a soggy Fourth of July.

But even though the city called off most of its annual Freedom Over Texas festivities, officials announced the fireworks spectacular would continue as planned.

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"Unfortunately the weather situation did not go as predicted," said Susan Christian, the city's director of special events. "We've taken on a lot of rain on the site, so much so that it's compromised the site. And while we were prepared to do one heck of a show unfortunately we will cancel all but the fireworks."

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As spots of torrential downpours pounded the metro area Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch till 9 p.m. for Houston, Bellaire and West University Place.

While waist-deep water pooled in parking lots and low-lying roadways, the City of Houston issued an alert advising residents not to travel and Houston Transtar began reporting high-water spots at Interstate 45 at North Main, Interstate 10 at Washington Avenue and Loop 610 at Westpark. Houston police responded to more than 125 calls from stranded motorists as of mid-afternoon.

For a list of current high water locations, go to Houston Transtar. In the gallery above, see some of Houston's worst high water spots to avoid.

Wet weather started rolling across the Houston area Tuesday evening, picking up again east of Houston early Wednesday. It's expected to last throughout much of the day and dampen parade plans, with street flooding in low-lying areas.

The bad weather came in courtesy of a weak disturbance from the Gulf, which is moving east to west across the metro area, according to meteorologists.

Initially forecasters said rainfall totals were only expected to be in the 1- to 3-inch range. But by just after noon, most parts of the city had already seen more than 3 inches and some areas had more than 7 inches, according to the Harris County Flood Control District.

Firefighters fielded several calls from stalled motorists, and Houston police activated an operations center to monitor flood-related events. Meanwhile, Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted a warning to Houstonians, begging residents to stay off the roads and promising to monitor conditions.

"There is a lot of street flooding throughout the city and some structural flooding along Washington and Westcott/Shepherd," the mayor wrote just before 1 p.m. "Bayous are holding at this time but we are watching things."

But as quick as the bad weather rolled in, it started tapering off. By 12:30 p.m, rainfall rates started to fall, and the National Weather Service predicted only another inch to come. Still, forecasters advised staying home until at least early evening, with roads throughout the west and south sides of the city still under water in places.

"Rain can dampen our site but it doesn't dampen our spirit," Christian said, encouraging Houstonians to watch the display on TV from home. "In the true essence of our forefathers we'll have a great fireworks show in celebration of America's birthday."

The decision to call off most of the festivities was "gut-wrenching," she said. Police will be on hand to keep visitors from showing up at the site, but ticket refunds will be available in the coming weeks.

Chris Young and the Mavericks were slated to play during the festivities scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The fireworks will still go off at 9:35 p.m., and media will be allowed in to record the event.

"This is unfortunately the only time that we've had to cancel most of the show," Christian said. "Good news is our spirits will start flying with those fireworks."