More than 30,000 people were left in need of emergency shelter Monday in Houston, as the flood waters continued to rise. Residents used everything from kayaks to inflatable beach toys to reach safety, as streets and homes were flooded with more than 30 inches of rain.
Video shows man biking through extremely flooded streets of Houston, Texas in the wake of Hurricane #Harvey. https://t.co/HOWQQ7Jcnu pic.twitter.com/yPt0bnhN0D
— ABC News (@ABC) 27 August 2017
By the end of the week, Houston is expected to receive a year’s worth of rain in a matter of days, in what one meteorologist, Dave Hennen, described as a “one-in-1,000-years-type of event.”
So difficult to appreciate how bad the #houstonflood is. This photo is incredibly #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/qt1ZJ6kgaf
— Tom (@TGAF78) 28 August 2017
“Inland flooding from hurricanes is the deadliest part, more than wind and surge,” Hennen told CNN.
This used to be I-610 but it’s underwater. Look how high that water is! #Houston #Flood #Harvey pic.twitter.com/JkmM9WMWvL
— Danielle Dozier (@DanielleDozier) 27 August 2017
#HarveyFlood water in the news room pic.twitter.com/lPKJG5olQM
— Len Cannon (@lencannonKHOU) 28 August 2017
Flooding not only inundated streets, but even reportedly managed to reach the second floors of some homes in Houston’s worst affected areas. Despite the best efforts of emergency workers, at least two people were reported dead at the time of writing, with a total of 450,000 residents in need of some kind of aid.
This deputy worked throughout the night doing high-water rescues in #Houston until he could no longer stand. This is Texas. #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/uk7Ri7nx24
— CHIEF (@texashabanero) 28 August 2017
Emergency services were overwhelmed by 911 callers and said they were prioritizing life or death calls. “This is a landmark event for Texas,” said FEMA Administrator Brock Long.
“Texas has never seen an event like this,” he said.
Harvey: Houston braces for even more flooding, officials forced to open dams (Image: Reuters) https://t.co/6N3KfV0t5P pic.twitter.com/kX6Pa0Sjwz
— ABC News (@abcnews) 28 August 2017
Aerial footage shows the devastation and flooding caused by #Harvey in Aransas Pass, Texas. https://t.co/bjS8s8X1BQ pic.twitter.com/isZxYaTZwv
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
An unbelievable but honest photo of nursing home residents waiting to get rescued in Houston. pic.twitter.com/XtOXdjE7dZ
— Citizen Servant (@citizenservant) 27 August 2017
Coast Guard aerial video shows the severity of the Houston flooding#houstonstrong #hurricaneharvey #harvey pic.twitter.com/lwuo1TZQ4t
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) 27 August 2017
Streets are completely flooded in League City, TX due to #Harvey and even more rain is expected over next few days. https://t.co/H325OOBvja pic.twitter.com/LReWd3AWIg
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
“Houston always floods” — but never like this! #HistoricFlooding #HoustonHangTight #HarveyFlood pic.twitter.com/dlWI3oaGlQ
— Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) 27 August 2017
In Houston, pleas for help go out over social media: “Please send help. 911 is not responding.” https://t.co/TT2V1N9ScL pic.twitter.com/0pJbsRiUeM
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) 28 August 2017
‘What we’re seeing is the most devastating flood event in Houston’s recorded history’ https://t.co/r7Er9quGlk pic.twitter.com/CPBHVyBJmT
— Financial Times (@FT) 28 August 2017
Some stores taking advantage of the situation….sad #HoustonStrong #Harvey #Houston #HoustonFloods pic.twitter.com/GJZQvfJWyN
— Robert Alaniz (@Ball4Ever86) 28 August 2017
Analysts say flooding from #Harvey likely to be devastating. Donate what you can here. https://t.co/yCCXaTc845 pic.twitter.com/iz8fRwHIST
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) 27 August 2017
As the worst of mother nature came down on Houston, we hope this brings out the best in human nature. https://t.co/S0bGDTmyhX #houstonstrong pic.twitter.com/exUX4yafmK
— Political Storm (@polstorm) 28 August 2017
Photos: Tropical Storm Harvey continued its relentless devastation in Houston https://t.co/ICWDxRvffT pic.twitter.com/bWQrZPKlEm
— The New York Times (@nytimes) 28 August 2017
“A 500-year event.”
Houston battles floods as more rain expected from Tropical Storm #Harveyhttps://t.co/7yPcxhWLMX pic.twitter.com/ve8dP8J8Vp
— dwnews (@dwnews) 28 August 2017
From my sister’s Snapchat. #HurricaineHarvey #houston pic.twitter.com/KAf0NSRtfN
— Hend Amry (@LibyaLiberty) 25 August 2017
Coastal towns hit by #Harvey brace for more days of heavy rain and flooding. #TropicalStormHarvey. https://t.co/HNZ33A2OgD pic.twitter.com/U2gDb2Ae01
— Fox News (@FoxNews) 27 August 2017
U.S. storm Harvey latest:
-Severe flooding
-2 deaths
-Power disruptions
-“Houston has another 100 hours of this”https://t.co/XCweBxPkqD pic.twitter.com/VkBXE9Bwoz— Bloomberg (@business) 28 August 2017
Downtown Houston rn looks like Gotham City! pic.twitter.com/QHOdTqYE2C
— ㊙️Louis (@LouisBarron13) 25 August 2017
Sinkhole opens in Houston and floodwaters spill inside. Tropical Storm #Harvey expected to bring more rain to area. https://t.co/2gLPz3Rftk pic.twitter.com/ho3D1Lmk78
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
Harvey unleashes catastrophic flooding in Houston @b_smialowski #AFP pic.twitter.com/g4uzLd85T6
— AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) 27 August 2017
Floods spread ‘all over’ Houston: Follow live updates on #HurricaneHarvey. https://t.co/18z9xU9Tue pic.twitter.com/uNVmglozSi
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) 27 August 2017
Much of Houston has seen over 2 feet of rain over the past few days due to #Harvey; heavy rain continues in the area https://t.co/wmswXJNLQl pic.twitter.com/SBi9gZl4sA
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
“This is a storm that is testing the city of Houston,” Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters.
“The city will rise to the occasion,” he said. Even as the flood waters continued their advance, heroic stories of bravery and survival surfaced as Houston residents fought to save themselves and their neighbors.
This man is a preacher checking for people inside cars at 610 & 288 PC Brian Roberson Jr @KPRC2 #Harvey pic.twitter.com/NJx58ZN8N8
— Sara Donchey (@KPRC2Sara) 27 August 2017
The @USCG rescued dozens of people left stranded in the aftermath of Harvey. #HoustonStrong https://t.co/kXcwPbqVhR pic.twitter.com/uBD4V2eDnn
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) 28 August 2017
One-year-old puppy braves floods in Houston in the wake of Hurricane #Harvey in a makeshift boat. https://t.co/8ADdaRGl1C pic.twitter.com/5AOtJox7c3
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
A 3 week old baby squirrel brought into the Wildlife Center of Texas during #Harvey One of 60 wild baby animals so far. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/gXl0ZhobMb
— Allen Reid (@Allen_Reid) 27 August 2017
When there’s a natural disaster, the American people never fail to rise up! #CajunNavy #HoustonStrong #TexasFlood pic.twitter.com/HsVKR3a1Ku
— Derenic Byrd (@DerenicByrd) 28 August 2017
#Police saved the lives of a herd of cattle from the #HarveyFlood in Dayton, TX#HoustonStrong#HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/UelzYBXzIA
— True News Network (@TrueNewsGlobal) 28 August 2017
Thanku #FirstResponders #Pets r precious family-as pic shows the 1 thing she would &did take 2 evacuate #Harveyflood pic.twitter.com/knOaHYzjjn
— Jen Webb (@DrjenWebb) 27 August 2017
New footage shows a man being rescued from a flooded car in Houston.#HoustonStrong#HurricaineHarvey pic.twitter.com/yCfgRY2DSo
— William Davis (@davis1988will) 28 August 2017
Houston. Can’t imagine what another two feet of rain would do.
ht @kevinselle pic.twitter.com/LUBzD4XzM1— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) 27 August 2017
Glad #CajunNavy is trending over hate&division. Those LA folks w/boats rescuing flood victims.❤️Neighbors helping neighbors #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/vklH79WlXI
— MikeDubberlyGDA (@MikeDubberlyGDA) 28 August 2017
Heart breaking..#TexasFlood #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/7ieW5OMztj
— Katarina-Bot-Covfefe (@Welly_World) 28 August 2017
We are Houstonians… and we will get through this. #HoustonStrong #Harvey PHOTOS: https://t.co/KgXot1fbmH pic.twitter.com/4i7ojSwHrl
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) 28 August 2017
Houston SWAT officer carries mother and her 13-month-old son to safety amid rising floodwaters from #Harvey https://t.co/79nzzta36O pic.twitter.com/yYezlzSMxY
— ABC News (@ABC) 27 August 2017
Service members from @TXMilitary assisting in rescues of people in flooded areas of Houston. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/ajFczh6k6H
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) 27 August 2017
Deputy Constables rescue an elderly woman from rising water in Houston, TX. pic.twitter.com/8xx51h4Iia
— Fox News (@FoxNews) 27 August 2017
Texas National Guard units use boats, rafts to rescue people in distress amid horrific Houston flooding https://t.co/XhV4f3la3S pic.twitter.com/LJCrF5JFqX
— ABC News (@ABC) 27 August 2017
U.S. Coast Guard has conducted more than 200 rescues by air in the Houston area and more than 1,000 rescues by water https://t.co/pvL1JsNa9Q pic.twitter.com/6VuyukTpzl
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
Dramatic footage shows woman and child rescued by helicopter in Houston https://t.co/SlYRPgIbBq #Harvey pic.twitter.com/vGw7rrLhRc
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 28 August 2017
Thank you to the national guard for coming and saving me and my family up I am forever grateful! pic.twitter.com/ij0KuJA5vJ
— Jen (@itsjustjen__) 27 August 2017
There is no us and them. Ever. There is only us. pic.twitter.com/6JzCCWF0Xo
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) 28 August 2017
Houston is inundated by a storm “beyond anything experienced before” https://t.co/KRyBXyiF2b pic.twitter.com/GzToCE5pFS
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) 27 August 2017
ALERT: @LesterHoltNBC anchors @NBCNightlyNews LIVE now from Houston with team coverage on the developing flooding disaster from #Harvey. pic.twitter.com/9T9zpwituJ
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) 27 August 2017
Houston Police have completed about 2,000 rescue missions since #Harvey began, Chief Acevedo says https://t.co/utrs57y6HD pic.twitter.com/4ge9XH4etj
— ABC News (@ABC) 28 August 2017
#Houston reporter rescues lorry driver live on air (VIDEO) #HurricaneHarvey https://t.co/DraE2Z5h5Q pic.twitter.com/j8HU5jPH1p
— RT (@RT_com) 28 August 2017
A man removes his two dogs from his apartment in Houston, TX. pic.twitter.com/z996UfC0Gk
— Fox News (@FoxNews) 27 August 2017
Keep seeing these neighbors helping each other. #Houston family rescued. #Houstonflood #houstonstrong #harvey pic.twitter.com/Nid6avQMth
— Steven Romo (@stevenromo) 27 August 2017
A Houston reporter helps save a man from flood on live TV. https://t.co/tlgb3iq57M #Harvey pic.twitter.com/RrlSh95mXy
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) 28 August 2017
When even the #houstonflood can’t dent your American spirit. #houstonstrong pic.twitter.com/GopvV3vwUj
— Wendy Bellevue (@RealWendyBelle) 27 August 2017
On social media, messages of solidarity and support poured in from across the nation — and the world.
Let’s show Houston they’re not alone. Let’s share your friends can do the same. #houstonstrong and share!! @TheMarsGen @AstronautAbby pic.twitter.com/E2RbtwVcZ4
— Daisuke Tanigaki (@dtanigaki) 28 August 2017
Prayers for Houston #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/73JF7n0TGZ
— theylovezahara (@ZaharaImonee) 28 August 2017
more than 2,000 people have been rescued by authorities and many more by volunteers. #houstonstrong #HuracanHarvey pic.twitter.com/0NN0EwCwo7
— trentonnn (@confessionkills) 27 August 2017
***UPDATED LIST*** Volunteers needed after 5:30pm today only if you can get to the @GRBCC safely #houstonstrong #harvey #donationsneeded pic.twitter.com/yGTTOISN1c
— Discovery Green (@DiscoveryGreen) 27 August 2017
Speechless #houstonstrong pic.twitter.com/MivKy1zdC5
— Scott Lucas (@METxLucas) 27 August 2017
Ours city is under water but we are #Houston and we will get trough this, we always have and we will do it a game #houstonstrong pic.twitter.com/nKLJIiEMs6
— La Fisheria (@LaFisheria) 27 August 2017
#houstonstrong @abc13houston our city is greater than the posessions we will lose. pic.twitter.com/zkJAf6VkVM
— Alexander Jimenez (@Xander_1997J) 27 August 2017
A big Thank You
to all of the first responders & citizens helping
with #HarveyFlood you’re amazing!
TY @L0stSandal Cptn Rusty & crew pic.twitter.com/XAKrsdRxKA— Kristy Hoover (@Kilikazen) 28 August 2017
If you too would like to show your support for the people of Houston, then please give generously to the American Red Cross. Other charities supporting Houston include Greater Houston Community Fund and Foundation Beyond Belief. Alternatively, consider supporting one of Houston’s food banks, which will play an increasingly important role in the aftermath of the disaster. A full list of food banks can be found here.
— Ryan Mallett-Outtrim