Mandatory and Voluntary evacuations throughout the Houston area in the midst of what is being called the biggest flood in US History.
According to FEMA’s Brock Long, “This landmark event, we have not seen an event like this, you could not draw this event up … it’s been a very challenging effort.”
Houston first responders working around the clock handling hundreds possibly thousands of rescues as Harvey continue to dump catastrophic rain throughout the area.
At last check, Houston has received well over 30 inches of rain and forecasters predict the area will get at least 50 inches of rainfall by the end of the week. This epic downpour has many forecasters saying Houston is at “an 800 year flood level.”
That historic rainfall has led to rises in the Addicts and Barker reservoirs to in West Harris and Fort Bend counties. While some were hoping for some relief, it won’t be happening anytime soon.
Overnight the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started a controlled water release process by opening the Addicks and barker dams in an effort to prevent more flood water from inundating the Houston area.
House flooding in some neighborhoods on Addicks Reservoir's western and northern boundaries could begin as this morning.
Getty Images, Houston, 2017
In a statement released by Emergency officials urge residents immediately adjacent to the Addicks and Barker reservoirs to stay alert and take precautionary measures. They also advise:
· Avoid driving, if possible, especially into water of unknown depth
· Remain in your home unless advised to evacuate by local officials
· Restrict children from playing in flooded areas
· Secure valuables
The wrath of Harvey has caught many by surprise, many who thought they would be able to tough out the storm are now seeking shelter near their homes because of unpassable roadways.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service are predicting that Harvey will regenerate into a tropical storm over the Gulf of Mexico. If Harvey’s unpredictable track becomes predictable, then it will make landfall in Galveston as a Tropical Storm on Wednesday before moving on to Houston and then moving north out of the area by Thursday.
With thousands of rescues and calls for help officials urge people to ONLY call 911 if they're in imminent danger.
Other numbers for people in need of aide are:
For a medical/functional emergency call 211.
If you need to be rescued call 281-238-3430
If you need info about shelters or help, inside Houston, dial 311. Outside Houston, dial 211.
“To overcome this disaster is going to be greater than FEMA coordinating the entire effort of the mission of the entire federal Government, we need citizens to be involved,” said FEMA’s Brock Long.
Getty Images, Houston, 2017
To find out how you can help you can 1-800-621-FEMA. If you’re in need of assistance you can find helpful information by visiting www.fema.gov , www.redcross.org, https://www.fema.gov/helping-pets and https://gov.texas.gov/ . If you’re in need of shelter or assistance, here are some locations that are offering help:
Westside High School
14201 Briar Forest
Paul Revere Middle School
10502 Briar Forest
Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
9314 Cullen
Houston, Texas 77051
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
6402 Market Street
Houston Texas 77020
832.395.0895
Getty Images, Houston 2017
Community of Faith Church
1024 Pinemont Drive
Houston, Texas 77091
Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center
4014 Market Street
Houston, Texas 77020
832.393.3800
M.O. Campbell Education Center
1865 Aldine Bender Rd.
Houston, Texas 77032
832.395.0069
West End Multi-Service Center
170 Heights Blvd
Houston, Texas 77007
832.393.5950
John Peavy Senior Center
3814 Market Street
Houston, Texas 77020
Kashmere Gardens Branch Library
5411 Pardee
Houston, Texas 77026
Trotter Family YMCA
1331 Augusta Drive
Houston, Texas 77057
Third Ward Multi-Service Center
3611 Ennis Street
Houston, Texas 77004
832.393.4051
YMCA at Cavalcade
705 Cavalcade St.
Houston, TX 77009
Northshore High School - 9th Grade Campus
13501 Hollypark Dr.