Houston is currently in a state of emergency as the city faces the aftermath of powerful winds, rain, and flooding brought by Tropical Storm Beryl. Mayor John Whitmire has declared a rescue mode and urged residents to shelter in place to ensure their safety.
Mayor Whitmire emphasized the severity of the situation during a news briefing, highlighting the impact of hurricane-force wind gusts, street closures, malfunctioning traffic lights, fires, and widespread flooding with over 10 inches of water covering most parts of the city. The San Jacinto River is being closely monitored for potential flooding.
Reports have emerged of dramatic rescue efforts, including the evacuation of a man stranded on top of his truck surrounded by floodwaters. First responders were seen using a fire truck ladder to lower a rope for his rescue. Additionally, videos circulating online depict numerous vehicles stranded on a freeway in southwest Houston due to the rising floodwaters.
Mayor Whitmire issued a plea for residents to remain indoors and not endanger the lives of first responders who are already overwhelmed with more than 400 emergency calls in the past hour. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives in the Houston area when trees fell on their homes, resulting in the deaths of a 53-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman.
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña emphasized that the primary focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of residents during this crisis. The city's emergency response teams are dedicated to maintaining a life safety posture until the storm subsides, after which recovery and consequence management efforts will be initiated.
