Heavy rains from Imelda measured in feet are drowning portions of the Houston metro area today, submerging highways and closing airports. While more than 20″ has fallen in the region, more than another foot is possible as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is transported into eastern Texas and Louisiana through Imelda’s remnants.
With heavy rain flooding roads and structures triggering the need for countless water rescues, this Civil Emergency Message was broadcast to the region dealing with Imelda:
DUE TO FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCIES IN NORTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING KINGWOOD AND HUMBLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, LIBERTY COUNTY AND CHAMBERS COUNTY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REQUEST RESIDENTS TO STAY PUT AND SHELTER IN PLACE. DO NOT VENTURE ON TO ANY ROADS IN THESE AREAS. PEOPLE TRAVELLING ON AREA HIGHWAYS NEED TO AVOID THIS AREA AND CHANGE TRAVEL PLANS. IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN YOUR HOUSE DUE TO FLOODING CALL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL FOR EVACUATION RESCUE.
Rain is pouring down in the area at 3-5″/hour rates, making water rescues difficult.
Air travel is also interrupted by the deluge. While airlines report numerous delays and cancellations, passengers and crew are finding it impossible to reach the airports. Roads to/from Houston’s airports are under water too, prompting water rescues there too.
ALL METRO BUS SERVICES SUSPENDED due to flooding in the Houston area. These pics are near Bush Airport from @AimeeGthePHD https://t.co/RPZpH3QXkX #KHOU pic.twitter.com/ht3Ijk6yxs
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) September 19, 2019
While rain is forecast to diminish somewhat tonight, another disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico could bring more flooding rains back to this portion of the Gulf Coast as early as Monday.
