Recent severe storms and heavy rainfall have led to intensified flooding in various parts of Texas, causing significant damage and prompting evacuations. The state has been experiencing a series of extreme weather events since early April, including tornadoes, hailstorms, and intense rainfall.
In South Texas, several counties have been severely affected by the flooding. San Jacinto County, located north of Houston, is facing mandatory evacuations as floodwaters have impacted around 100-200 homes. The county's emergency management coordinator described the situation as worse than Hurricane Harvey, with numerous water rescues already conducted.
Walker County, northwest of Houston, is also experiencing historic flooding, surpassing the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Communities along the Trinity River are underwater, and many roads and bridges have been compromised. High-water rescues have been ongoing in the county since late April.
Polk County, northeast of Houston, has seen approximately 700 homes flooded, with more expected due to additional rainfall. Mandatory evacuations are in place for 1,000 homes in the county, and residents are urged to remain vigilant as flood levels may continue to rise.
In Harris County, which includes Houston, mandatory evacuations have been ordered for areas along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River. The river is forecasted to reach major flood stage, posing a significant threat to residents. Nearby Crosby experienced flooding, prompting a school bus evacuation to ensure student safety.
Elsewhere, Liberty County witnessed a dramatic rescue operation as the Coast Guard airlifted a 12-hour-old baby girl to a hospital due to flooding. Voluntary evacuations were also in place in Montgomery County, highlighting the widespread impact of the flooding across the region.
With disaster declarations active in over a third of Texas counties, Governor Greg Abbott has expanded storm-related declarations to address the ongoing crisis. Eastern Texas has received excessive rainfall in recent weeks, leading to saturated soils and heightened flood risks.
While the current flooding is severe, it is more localized compared to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The state continues to face challenges from severe weather, including tornadoes and ongoing rainfall, with additional storms forecasted in the coming days.
