Houston under – Houston remains under a flood watch Wednesday, June 17, as World Cup fans head to NRG Stadium for Portugal vs. DR Congo at noon. City leaders say rain could fall during match time, but they don’t expect major disruption—while warning residents and visitors to
For the third day in a row, weather has turned into an unavoidable part of game-day planning in Houston.
The city is under a flood watch on Wednesday. June 17. as World Cup fans make their way to NRG Stadium for the Portugal vs. DR Congo match, scheduled to start at noon local time. City officials spent Tuesday’s council meeting addressing what they expect during the game—and how they’re preparing if the rainfall worsens.
Emergency Management Director Brian Mason told council members that rain is possible during match time, but that the city does not expect significant impacts from getting people to and from the stadium. He also stressed that conditions remain fluid.
“We do have a good chance of rain during match time, but there shouldn’t be any significant impacts of getting people to and from the stadium,” Mason said, adding that weather conditions remain fluid.
Mason urged residents and visitors to “be prepared,” to monitor trusted weather sources, and said the City of Houston has deployed barricades and high-water rescue vehicles across the city ahead of possible flooding.
Mayor posted on Facebook that Houston is ready for potential flooding. writing: “It looks like Houston won’t get the brunt of the rain and flooding as it moves to the east. but I am proud to say the city is prepared. Houston Fire, Police, and METRO are taking safety precautions to ensure that Houstonians are safe,” the mayor wrote.
While the match approaches, the Houston Host Committee and safety officials said they will continue monitoring conditions through the day. The committee also said it has already postponed and canceled FIFA Fan Festival events in past days due to weather.
The city is also recommending residents and visitors sign up for weather notifications by texting AlertHouston to 888777.
The flood watch is in place until the evening hours of Wednesday, June 17, as periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected through the day. The National Weather Service forecasts additional rainfall totaling 2 to 4 inches.
The threat extends beyond Houston. Forecasters have pointed to days of heavy rain across the Gulf Coast region. While a tropical storm was expected to form off Texas’ coast, officials said the bigger concern was the broader stretch of heavy rainfall.
Coastal areas face the greatest potential for flooding, and flash flooding is also possible. The National Weather Service said some counties—including Brazoria, Galveston and Chambers—could see isolated totals of 5 to 10 inches of rain.
For residents and visitors trying to keep their plans intact, the message from officials has been consistent: expect changing conditions, follow reliable forecasts, and act early if flooding starts to develop.
— Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
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Houston flood watch Portugal vs DR Congo NRG Stadium World Cup fans Emergency Management Director Brian Mason AlertHouston 888777 National Weather Service flash flooding Brazoria County Galveston County Chambers County
So basically it’s gonna rain while people are at the stadium.
Flood watch AGAIN for game day? This city never learns. I don’t care if it’s “not expected to disrupt” I’ve seen how Houston handles rain and it’s always chaos.
Wait, isn’t this the match that got moved because of weather in the first place? If it “moves to the east” doesn’t that mean Houston still gets hit? Idk, but barricades and rescue vehicles is like… too little too late.