HOUSTON – Flooding impacted many parts of the Greater Houston area on Monday and emergency officials are warning residents the threat is not over.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with Harris County emergency management officials and was live downtown near Interstate 45 North and Travis Street, where floodwaters had receded by evening after heavy rains filled roadways earlier in the day.
Cars drove through high water throughout the area. Some vehicles became stuck under bridges and had to be towed. The flooding forced closures at the University of Houston Downtown, including its on-campus food bank, leaving some students without access to resources they depend on.
Fouad Allaham, a UHD student, rushed to campus hoping to get his weekly food rations only to find the area flooded and the campus closed.
“I came today to get my rations for the week and I had no idea there was a flood. I just came in a hurry. I depend on UHD’s market for food. I just saw a bunch of water,” Allaham said.
Harris County Emergency Management Director Mark Sloan made clear that the danger is far from over.
“This is not over. We still anticipate some heavy rains with street issues, especially overnight into the morning hours,” Sloan said.
With a flood watch in place, Sloan urged residents to take the threat seriously and follow safety guidance.
“Pay attention and heed the warnings that are out there. Turn around, don’t drown. Stay out of any of these water conditions and don’t drive around barrels or barricades if our first responders and transportation partners put those up,” he said.
Emergency responders across the region are on standby and ready to act.
“Communication and coordination with our first responders, talking with our fire departments with their high water rescue vehicles and boats, making sure they’re in position to react and respond throughout the county. Talking with our law enforcement partners with their water rescue assets, talking with the state of Texas on pre-positioning potential assets along the Gulf Coast, because it’s not just Harris County, it’s a region being affected,” Sloan said.
The Houston Fire Department staged several boats and emergency vehicles throughout the city in preparation for continued rainfall and potential rescues.
Sloan’s closing message to Houston residents was simple: “Be patient, drive with caution and heed the warnings.”
Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for Harris County, making state disaster relief resources available to the area.