Severe storms have battered the Houston area, exacerbating already perilous flooding in Texas and prompting numerous high-water rescues, including some from rooftops of submerged homes. Officials have issued urgent evacuation orders for residents in low-lying areas, cautioning that the situation is expected to deteriorate further.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo described the flooding as 'catastrophic,' with several hundred structures at risk. The National Weather Service reported over 11 inches of rain in a 24-hour period in the northern Houston suburb of Spring, leading to widespread flooding.
In rural communities like Shepherd and Montgomery County, high-water rescues have been ongoing, with hundreds of people evacuated from homes and vehicles. Polk County, northeast of Houston, has also experienced over 100 water rescues, with homes along the Trinity River and below Lake Livingston Dam being flooded.
While Houston has not reported any deaths or injuries, the city remains on high alert due to its history of flooding. The Crosby school district narrowly avoided a potential disaster when a school bus carrying 27 students stopped just before entering high water, allowing all students to be safely transferred to another bus.
Of particular concern is the San Jacinto River area in Harris County, where rising waters are expected to continue as more rain falls and additional water is released from reservoirs. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for parts of the riverbank.
Shelters have been set up across the region, including those operated by the American Red Cross. The National Weather Service predicts that the river levels will peak before receding below flood stage by Tuesday afternoon.
The greater Houston area, covering about 10,000 square miles, is crisscrossed by numerous waterways that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The city's drainage system, designed almost a century ago, is struggling to cope with the increased rainfall and urban expansion.
As the region braces for more rain and potential flooding, authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety.
