HOUSTONThe Houston area was under threat of worsening flooding conditions Saturday, a day after strong storms hit the region and authorities warned those in low-lying areas to evacuate ahead of an expected “catastrophic” rise in water. .
A flood watch remained in effect through Sunday afternoon, as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night, bringing another 2.5 to 7.6 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) of water to the sodden region. and the probability of significant flooding.
Friday’s storms forced numerous high-water rescues, including some from the rooftops of flooded homes. Authorities redoubled urgent instructions for residents in low-lying areas to evacuate, warning that the worst was yet to come.
“This threat continues and is going to get worse. It’s not your typical river flood,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top elected official in the nation’s third-largest county.
He described the predicted rise in water as “catastrophic” and said several hundred structures were at risk of flooding. At least two dozen water rescues had already been performed in the county, in addition to bringing 30 pets to safety. Schools in the path of the flood canceled classes and streets became clogged as authorities closed flooded roads.
For weeks, torrential rains in Texas and parts of Louisiana have filled reservoirs and saturated the soil. Flooding partially submerged vehicles and roads this week in parts of southeast Texas, north of Houston, where high water reached the roofs of some homes.
More than 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain fell during a 24-hour period ending Friday morning in the northern Houston suburb of Spring, according to the National Weather Service.
In the rural community of Shepherd, Gilroy Fernandes said he and his wife had about an hour to evacuate after a mandatory exit order. His house is on stilts near the Trinity River and they were relieved when the water began to recede Thursday.
Then the danger increased when they slept.
“The next thing I knew, overnight they started releasing more water from the Livingston Dam. And that caused the river level to rise almost 5 or 6 feet during the night,” Fernandes explained. Residents who left an hour later were stuck in traffic due to flooding.
In Montgomery County, Judge Mark Keough said there have been more high-water rescues than he could count.
“We estimate we’ve had a couple hundred rescues from homes, houses and vehicles,” Keough added.
Houston authorities had reported no deaths or injuries. The city of more than 2 million people is one of the most flood-prone metropolitan areas in the country and has long experience dealing with devastating weather.
Source: With information from AP
