LIVE BLOG: Conditions clearing up for some of those who were waterlogged

HOUSTON – Tropical Storm Beta lashed the Southeast Texas coastline. Pounding waves and storm surge caused damage and flooding for some coastal communities Monday and Tuesday, while inland locations received several inches of torrential rains.

You can follow our coverage of the storm in the blog below:

Wednesday, Sept. 23

11:42 a.m. -- Conditions clearing up for some of those who were waterlogged

Conditions are clearing up for some of those who were waterlogged.

11:40 a.m. -- Trouble spots in northeast Houston

There are several trouble spots when it comes to flooding in northeast Houston.

11:31 a.m. -- Roads flooded after creek spills over banks

Cars have been towed near Pearland after drivers had to leave their vehicles stranded due to high waters.

6:59 a.m. -- High water seen outside of mobile homes in NW Harris County

High water can be seen outside of mobile homes in northwest Harris County.

6:46 a.m. -- Drivers try to maneuver in SE Houston as water floods from Clear Creek

Drivers are trying to maneuver in southeast Houston as water from Clear Creek spills into the streets.

6:07 a.m. -- Clear Creek 1 of 3 waterways over banks

Clear Creek is one of three waterways over its banks due to Tuesday’s severe weather stemming from Beta.

6:04 a.m. -- Neighborhood south of Greens Bayou seeing high water

A neighborhood south of Greens Bayou is seeing high water. Water is pooling in the streets, causing vehicles to have to turn around and find a new route.

5:15 a.m. -- Langham Creek is out of its banks

Langham Creek is one of three waterways currently out of its banks.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

8:45 p.m. — HFD moves extra high-water rescue vehicles

8 p.m. — High water reported on more than 2 dozen Houston-area roads. Click here for full list

7:45 p.m. — Recovery effort underway after fisherman goes into Brays Bayou, doesn’t resurface, police say

A recovery effort is underway after a fisherman went into Brays Bayou Tuesday afternoon, Houston police said.

The incident was reported at 6:10 p.m. near East Navigation and Harrisburg. Read more here.

6:30 p.m. — More than 100,000 gallons of wastewater were spilled in 5 locations in Houston

Houston officials say more than 100,000 gallons of domestic wastewater have been spilled in five locations in Houston as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday due to the “intense, sustained, rainfall of greater than 10 inches in the last 24 hours,” during Tropical Storm Beta.

Read more here.

6:15 p.m. — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says city to have to deal with Beta for ’12 more hours'

6 p.m. — A bit of a break going into the early evening

5 p.m. — Flash Flood Warning issued for Harris County until 7 p.m.

4:30 p.m. — METRO suspends transit service

METRO announced it is temporarily suspending transit service beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday due to Tropical Depression Beta.

“Preparations to suspend service, will begin sooner,” officials wrote in a release. “Some rail services will make their final departures at 7 p.m. and METRO HOV/HOT lanes will not reopen Tuesday afternoon.”

Find more information on the METRO website.

1 p.m. -- Hidalgo gives an update on water levels, urges people to continue to stay home

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a news conference Tuesday where she said the area is in for a longer period of severe weather. People should expect the weather to last until about midday Wednesday.

She also urged people to continue to stay off the road and monitor weather conditions. Click here to read more about what she said in regard to Beta.

12:28 p.m. -- Judge Lina Hidalgo gives update on Tropical Depression Beta

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is scheduled give an update on Tropical Depression Beta at a news conference that is expected to begin about 1 p.m. Click2Houston.com plans to offer a livestream of her remarks whenever it begins. You can watch it in the main video player attached to the top of this story.

11:32 a.m. -- Turner urges ‘patience’ Beta slowly moves along Southeast Texas coast

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urged resident to be patient as Tropical Depression Beta lingers south of the region, keeping the threat of flooding elevated.

“Stay home,” Turner said. “Stay off the roads.”

Turner said the hardest-hit part of the city has been the southwest and southeast sides, where as much as a foot of rain has fallen in some locations.

More heavy rain is forecast for the city as Beta slowly moves through the area, which could me mean more flooded roads.

Turner said major roads that have high water will be closed until the water recedes. He reminded drivers that they shouldn’t drive around barricades.

“They aren’t there for decoration,” Turner said. “They are there for your protection.”

Both police and fire officials said they have deployed high water rescue vehicles and teams across the city.

Officials said residents should call 311 if they find debris that needs to be removed from the streets.

10:22 a.m. -- Turner discusses flooding in Houston

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is scheduled to speak about flooding in Houston at a news conference that is expected to begin about 11 a.m., but that time is subject to change. Click2Houston.com plans to offer a livestream of the mayor’s remarks whenever it begins. You can watch it in the main video player attached to the top of this story.

9:37 a.m. -- ‘Do not drive into that water,’ Harris County meteorologist Jeff Lindner warns

Jeff Lindner, meteorologist at the Harris County Flood Control District, is urging people to stay off the roads as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Beta are covering several major thoroughfares. Lindner reminded drivers that these large roadways serve as a primary drainage system during flash flooding events and until the rain lets up, the roads won’t be able to drain.

“If you do not have to travel, stay where you are,” Lindner said.

For people who must travel, Lindner warned people to stay away from routes that typically flood during heavy rain. He said drivers should also stay away from underpasses.

“Do not drive into that water,” Lindner said.

Lindner also said that while no structural flooding has been reported thus far, that could change if torrential downpours continue.

“With rain continuing and the watershed continuing to rise, we could eventually start to see some possible structure flooding along Clear Creek in the Friendswood area and then down towards I-45,” Lindner said.

Lindner said officials are also closely monitoring Brays, Keegans and Buffalo bayous.

8:32 a.m. -- Flash flood warning extended for southern Houston area until 12:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the area of southern Houston until 12:30 p.m. Downtown is not in the new warning box. As much as 10 inches of rain has fallen across southern Houston with some of the highest rain totals being reported in southeast Houston. You can read the latest weather alerts here.

8:12 a.m. -- Man escapes flooding vehicle after driving on Highway 288

Water is back up to the top of the barrels on Highway 288. One driver said he had to escape through his sunroof after accidentally plunging through the water.

“It’s not worth it. Your life comes first,” he told KPRC 2′s Cathy Hernandez.

Drivers have been asked to avoid the area.

8:10 a.m. -- Tow trucks picking up stranded vehicles after Keegans Bayou overflows

Tow trucks have been moving vehicles that were stranded in southwest Houston due to the Keegans Bayou flooding.

6:21 a.m. -- High water takes over 288, stranding cars

High water takes over 288, stranding cars in south Houston.

6 a.m. -- Rescue volunteer uses kayak to reach drivers

A rescue volunteer is using a kayak to reach stranded drivers.

5:33 a.m. -- Flash flood warning extended until 8:30 a.m. for Houston

The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning for the southwest Houston area Tuesday and expanded it to include downtown. It is now in effect until 8:30 a.m. You can read the latest weather alerts here.

5:28 a.m. -- Keegans Bayou floods streets after heavy rain

Keegans Bayou is flooding streets after heavy rain in southwest Houston.

5:12 a.m. -- Flash Flood Warning in effect for Houston areas, including Pearland

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Houston areas, including Pearland.

4:49 a.m. -- Driver attempts to barrel through floodwaters in SW Houston

Some drivers have not heeded the warnings of going out in the floodwater.

4:44 a.m. -- Cars stranded in high water in Houston

Several cars in Houston are stranded in southwest Houston.

4 a.m. -- Heavy rain continues for Houston metro

The southwest Houston area was hit hard by rains from Beta on Monday night, receiving an estimated 4 to 6 inches. On Tuesday morning, those heavy rains continued as another feeder band from Beta moved through the area. Radar estimates put the amount of rainfall in the 10-inch range for some spots in southwest Houston. A flash flood warning remains in effect for the area until at least 5:30 a.m.

A flash flood warning is also in effect for central Jackson County until 5 a.m. Radar estimates put the rainfall amount at between 8 and 10 inches in some places.

12:27 p.m. — Flash Flood Warning in place until 2:15 a.m. for Colorado, Jackson and Wharton counties

11:34 p.m. — Feeder band starting to collapse. Flash Flood Warnings in place for Brazoria, Harris and Fort Bend counties until 2:30 a.m.

11:10 p.m. — Tropical Storm Beta finally makes landfall

After brewing for almost 24 hours, meteorologists say Tropical Storm Beta finally made landfall just after 11 p.m. It is the ninth named storm to make landfall in the continental U.S. this year.

11 p.m. — More than a dozen high-water rescues conducted Monday night, Turner says

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told KPRC 2 that there had been at least more than a dozen high-water rescues performed within the city by first responders.

During KPRC 2′s live broadcast, members of the Houston Fire Department’s high-water rescue unit drove past and said they had rescued eight people.

10:45 p.m. — SUV driver caught on camera trying to drive through flood waters, getting stuck

10:25 p.m. — Strong feeder band continues to drench the Houston area

10:15 p.m. — ‘We’re going to be in this situation for next 24 hours,’ Mayor Sylvester Turner says

9:51 p.m. — Flash Flood Warning for Brazoria, Matagorda and Wharton counties until 1 a.m.

9:10 p.m. — 2 to 4 inches of rain brings looming possibility of street flooding

8:40 p.m. — Crews have barricaded streets in Pearland where water is collecting near the intersection of Walnut and Main

8:35 p.m. — Latest forecast update from KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley

8:30 p.m. — Nearly 3,000 without power in League City

A power outage on the west side of League City has left 2,832 customers without power according to Texas-New Mexico Power’s outage map. The outage was reported just before 8 p.m. and the estimated time to restore power is 11:30 p.m.

8:28 p.m. — Flash Flood Warning issued for multiple counties

A Flash Flood Warning was extended for Harris, Galveston and Brazoria counties and issued for Fort Bend County until 11:30 p.m.

7:35 p.m. — Two Brazoria County parks closed due to high tides

7:08 p.m. — Flash flood warning in Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued until 8:30 p.m. for Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties as Tropical Storm Beta nears landfall along the Texas coast near Port O’Connor.

Waves and rain have lashed the Matagorda County coastline since Sunday night, causing minor flooding ahead of TS Beta

An angry surf along the Galveston shoreline is always indicative of brewing storms

Meanwhile, residents in Seabrook, Kemah and Clear Lake Shores are preparing for high water Monday evening

Galveston residents feel the impact of of the storm, portion of the 61st Street pier damaged

Galveston is feeling the impact of Beta as strong winds and flooding take place throughout the city. A portion of the 61st Street pier was washed up on shore after being damaged.

Kemah, Seabrook feeling impact of storm

Some docks are completely destroyed and storm surge is flowing through the destination. Seabrook is also experiencing flooding. Winds and rain are intensifying in Kemah before Beta makes landfall.

First responders in Brazoria County prepare ahead of Beta

First responders are working to secure Brazoria County as much as possible before Beta arrives. Rain and wind are picking up in Brazoria County before Betta makes landfall.

Abbott declares disaster for 29 counties

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster Monday for 29 counties as Beta slowly approaches the Southeast Texas coast. The counties that are part of the declaration are: Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Patricio, Shelby, Travis, Victoria, and Wharton.

“As Tropical Storm Beta approaches the coast, I urge Texans in the path of the storm to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from flooding, storm surge, and other impacts from this severe weather,” Abbott said in a written statement. “The State of Texas is working closely with local officials on the ground to provide the resources our communities need to respond to Tropical Storm Beta and keep residents safe.”

You can view a copy of the governor’s declaration here.

Seabrook mayor declares disaster

Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski signed a disaster declaration for the city as storm surge has caused flooding in the coastal Harris County town. KPRC 2′s Cathy Hernandez showed water covering lots of roads in the area during her reports Monday morning. You can see some of her reporting below.

Galveston

Michael Marquez, also known as Captain Sharkey of Outcast Charters, spent the day securing his boats and rods.

“Some people completely pull their boats out for this storm and some are living them in. We’re going to pray for the best,” said Marquez.

Others, like John Miller, plan to evacuate.

“It just not worth it for us to stay, getting trapped in your home and water everywhere, not fun at all,” said Miller.

Miller lives in the Teichman Point neighborhood on Offatts Bayou. He said he been watching the water levels closely during high tide.

“You can see on this it’s probably an inch or two lower than it was,” Miller said.

Miller said he plans to leave Sunday morning and will return when it is safe to do so.

Seabrook, Kemah and Shore Acres areas

Seabrook is under a storm surge warning and a tropical storm warning. Strong winds and storm surge are expected late into Sunday evening.

Several inches of rain are expected to fall in that area and people are getting ready for what Tropical Storm Beta could bring.

“I’m just kind of nervous a little bit,” resident Avery Williams said.

“It looks a little scary,” said another resident, Josh Owens.

“Well, I hope it doesn’t get really bad like Hurricane Harvey and all that,” Hernandez.

Mother nature brought several people out to a bay near the Kemah Boardwalk on Sunday. Some too selfies and others watched the waves crash into the sea wall.

“I’m kind of scared,” Ally Williams said.

Tropical Storm Beta could pack a serious punch and bring in several inches of rain, along with wind speeds reaching up to 60 miles per hour. An experience the Williams family has been through before.

“Not super concerned about it, but any can happen with the weather,” Brandon Williams said.

But others like Owen have a different feeling.

“Probably the storm surge, I’m assuming because how close the storm is to us, I’d say the storm surge,” Owens said.

The water is already starting to rise near homes in Seabrook, but it didn’t stop people from fishing.

“I’d say like a 50/50 worry,” Daniel Garcia said.

People say they will continue to be weather aware and ready for what the storms could bring.

“My wife got like $250 dollars' worth of groceries today just in case,” Brandon Williams said.

“You know just to get gas and generators stuff like that the important things,” Owens said.

Baytown

Brazoria County