Weather troubles: Lightning suspected in Econo Lodge fire; Flood watch continues

02:35 PM CDT on Thursday, June 24, 2004

From 11 News Staff Reports

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Fire officials suspect lightning may have sparked the fire at an Econo Lodge hotel in the 6600 block of Hoover near Highway 290 and Bingle Thursday morning as heavy rain and sporadic thunderstorms rolled through the area.

KHOU-TV Firefighters were able to contain the Econo Lodge fire to the roof of the building.

No injuries were reported and all the guests were evacuated safely from the hotel. The fire was contained to the roof of the building.

The heavy rains also made for a messy rush hour. The northbound HOV lane of the Southwest Freeway was closed for awhile because of high water near Newcastle.

Drivers had to navigate around flooded streets all over the city and slick streets contributed to several minor accidents.

High water shut down Highway 3 in Texas City for a time Thursday morning.

Harris and surrounding counties remain under a flood watch as an upper air pattern continues to collide with a surface that is both warm and moist.

Thanks to a never-ending supply of upper air disturbances to help squeeze out the rain, the local forecast is set up for day after day of heavy rain.

Courtesy Kevin Stone San Bernard River is shown overflowing its bank near FM 521 just outside Brazoria City.

"The heaviest rain is on the coast now," said 11 News meteorologist David Paul. "That is where I think the heaviest rain may be for the next day or two, as a trough is set up and interacts with these disturbances."

"We will get more rain later today and off and on through the weekend. The extended forecast keeps it wet off and on. The disturbances will roll through with periods of heavy rain, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday," said Paul.

"Tuesday and Wednesday of next week is when the weather pattern will shift to a more summerlike pattern. Until then it stays wet and we will be on the flood watch."