Houston, Texas, continues to be under alert due to the heavy storms that have battered the metropolitan area, causing floods. The eastern and northeastern parts of the metropolitan area have been the most affected, with various neighborhoods and roads submerged in water.
Rescue teams from different organizations are working overtime to evacuate hundreds of people and their pets to safety, taking them to shelters. Despite the material losses, there have been no reported deaths or serious injuries so far.
The severe storm warning for strong storms, high winds, possible tornadoes, and floods will be active until Sunday, May 5th, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office focused their rescues on the neighborhoods of Río Villa, Channelview, and Kingwood.
Mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, warned residents of Kingwood about the rising waters as rivers and streams overflowed. Evacuation orders were issued, and some residents left with only what they could carry as water levels continued to rise.
The situation is dire in Kingwood, a community on the northeast side of Houston near the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston. Roads crossing the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston have been closed due to overflowing water. Despite the challenges, the Houston Police Department has not reported any looting in evacuated homes.
Rivers, streams, and lakes have already overflowed, and intermittent rains are expected to continue, keeping authorities on high alert. Lina Hidalgo, the County Judge for Harris County, described the floods as catastrophic, echoing concerns in Montgomery County, where Lake Conroe is at maximum capacity and may overflow.
The Harris County and Montgomery County have both issued emergency declarations due to the severe flooding. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also signed an emergency declaration to provide resources to the affected counties. Other counties, such as Hardin, Jasper, Orange, and Tyler, are also on alert for flash floods, according to the National Weather Service.
Once the storms pass, authorities from the various counties will hold a press conference to assess the extent of the damage. The community is urged to stay safe and be prepared for any further developments in the situation.
