HOUSTON.- Heavy rainfall on Saturday left neighborhoods around Houston submerged under water, triggering more than 400 rescue operations from homes, roofs and roads flooded by murky flow. Meanwhile, authorities warn of the possibility of more rain on the horizon.
With a flood watch in effect through Sunday afternoon, forecasters predict more precipitation, increasing the risk of severe flooding in Harris County, the third most populous in the country, which includes Houston and its surrounding areas.
“We anticipate a decrease in heavy rain through Saturday afternoon,” the National Weather Service said. “However, another round of heavy rain is expected overnight and into Sunday.”
Up to an additional 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of rain is forecast to fall, with accumulations of up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in isolated areas.
So far, no fatalities or injuries have been reported, according to Houston authorities. The judge Lina Hidalgothe county’s top elected official, reported Saturday that 178 human and 122 pet rescues had been carried out across the region.
From Houston to rural areas of East Texas, heavy rains have left vast areas flooded, forcing park rangers to use boats to rescue people and pets trapped in their homes. A rescue team carried a family and three dogs to safety as water rose around their vehicles and home.
“The water level continues to rise,” said Miguel Flores Jr., a resident of Kingwood in northeast Houston. “We don’t know what else to do. We’re just preparing for the worst.”
Houston es vulnerable
Houston, known for its vulnerability to flooding, is once again challenged by extreme weather. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc, flooding thousands of homes and prompting a massive rescue operation.
Of particular concern is the area along the San Jacinto River, where new rains and water released from a full reservoir are expected to raise water levels. Hidalgo issued a mandatory evacuation order Thursday for people living near certain stretches of the river.
The water level in the river reached almost 22.6 meters (about 74 feet) on Saturday night, after having surpassed 23.7 m (78 feet). Rapidly changing forecasts indicate the river will recede to about 58 feet (17.6 m) by Thursday, just below flood stage.
Despite the severity of the situation, most of Houston’s city limits were not severely affected by the severe weather. Officials said the region had received about four months’ worth of rain in just one week.
With an area of approximately 25,900 square kilometers (about 10,000 square miles), the Houston region features a vast network of canals, streams and swamps that flow into the Gulf of Mexico. However, the system of swamps and reservoirs, built nearly a century ago, has struggled to keep up with the city’s growth and increasingly intense storms.
Source: With information from AFP
