Houston Drivers Urged To Stay Off Roads On Monday Evening

Local leaders and emergency officials are urging people in Houston to stay off the road on Monday evening as Tropical Storm Nicholas nears landfall.

"Help yourself out and help us out and plan to be off the roads by sundown," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted on Monday morning.

TS Nicholas is expected to make landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast sometime on Monday evening. The National Weather Service issued storm surge warnings for most of the coast, but those who live farther inland can still expect heavy rains.

Southeast Texas is expected to receive between 8-16 inches of rain, while 20 inches is possible in certain locations.

The city of Houston announced that it will continue to place barricades around streets that are prone to flooding throughout the day. As of 6 a.m., 43 barriers were already set up, KTRK reported.

"Just because you don't hear 'Hurricane', it could be a system developing in the Gulf. And, with what we have seen, these systems can really accelerate very, very quickly," Turner warned on Monday.

Multiple city services and businesses have already suspended services or announced that they will close on Monday afternoon. Trash pickup in Houston has been suspended until Wednesday while Houston ISD announced that all after school activities have been canceled for Monday.

Houston ISD and other area school districts will remain closed on Tuesday. KHOU has a running list of the area school districts.

Houston CultureMap is also keeping track of local businesses (mostly bars and restaurants) that are closing to the storm.