The record-breaking rains that hit southern U.S. this past weekend have intensified their tumultuous breach. Early this morning, more than 10 inches of rain caused heavy floods in Houston, Texas, causing the immediate suspension of all rail, bus and park-and-ride systems, and at least four freeways. The majority of Houston school districts have canceled classes today.
Floods in Houston reach an all-time disastrous high
The wreckage that the Texas-Oklahoma floods started a few days ago have claimed the lives of at least eight people. 12 people are still missing. By 6:48 a.m. local time, more than 57,000 customers of CenterPoint Energy’s electric and gas utilities experienced power outages. Several city waterways — including the Brays, Buffalo and White Oak Bayous, all of which are expected to rise at least 40 more feet — have overflowed their banks and flooded surrounding parkways. Countless homes, apartments and cars along these waterways have also experienced severe flooding.
As of now, more than 80,000 people affected by the floods in Houston are without power. Houston is just one of the 24 counties projected to be in states of disaster, declared by Texas Governor Greg Abbott yesterday.
30 million people bracing for thunderstorms to come
The floods in Houston will very likely be just the beginning for this flood season. Meteorologists who issued the weather studies on the rains in Texas and Oklahoma have warned approximately 30 million people of the possible storms to come: according to the reports, there will be even more flooding, hail and tornadoes. These storms will potentially have effects equally as devastating as those brought on by the floods in Houston. Countless residents have been forced to evacuate this weekend, leaving zones of danger.
Floods in Houston leave countless trapped
The life-threatening flash floods in Houston have left high numbers of employees, students, visitors and more confined in spaces. As of 4 a.m. local time, 200 people remain trapped in the Toyota Center, where they watched the Houston Rockets best the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. Dozens of Target employees were stuck inside a store after high waters surrounded the complex, burying them in. People were also stranded in Houston’s The Galleria mall. Presently, flood watches and warnings predict storms to further hit other parts of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi, and will affect a total of around 32 million people. Central Texas will likely be hit by another round of thunderstorms by mid-afternoon today, and the floods in Houston will likely breach Dallas by the evening.
