Texas Hit by Heavy Storms and Dangerous Flooding, Urgent Evacuations Ordered

Heavy storms caused dangerous flooding in the Houston area, leading to high-water rescues, evacuations, and concerns over already full reservoirs.

On Friday, May 3, heavy storms hit the Houston area, exacerbating the already dangerous flooding in Texas. First responders carried out numerous high-water rescues, including some from the rooftops of flooded homes. The situation prompted urgent instructions for residents in low-lying areas to evacuate, with officials warning that the worst was yet to come.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo described the surge of water as "catastrophic" and stated that several hundred structures were at risk of flooding. The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain fell during a 24-hour period in the northern Houston suburb of Spring, leading to a flood warning until Tuesday for the region.

Rescue Efforts and Evacuations

In various counties, including Shepherd, Montgomery, and Polk, there were numerous water rescues, with some areas experiencing overnight increases in water levels due to dam releases. Despite the challenging conditions, authorities in Houston had not reported any deaths or injuries. The experience of dealing with devastating weather was evident in the city, which has a long history of dealing with flood-prone situations.

Houston, a city of over 2 million people, faced historic rainfall during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, resulting in thousands of homes being flooded and over 60,000 rescues. The current situation has led to the opening of shelters across the region, including those by the American Red Cross. The weather service reported that the San Jacinto River was expected to crest at 78 feet (23.77 meters) on Friday night, with the expectation of falling below flood stage by Tuesday afternoon.

The greater Houston area, covering about 10,000 square miles, is crisscrossed by about 1,700 miles of channels, creeks, and bayous that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The city's system of bayous and reservoirs, built nearly 100 years ago, has struggled to keep up with the city’s growth and increasingly severe weather events.