Login   |      Register
English    中文


CPEC Disaster Risk Reduction


Houston area facing 'catastrophic' flood conditions as severe weather pummels Texas

/media/zn_event/imgs/06.png

Release time:2024-06-19

Editor:zhongnan

Category: Flood

Label: flood    severe weather   

The Houston area is bracing for "catastrophic" flooding Friday as severe downpours and extreme weather pummel parts of Texas.

Harris County's Office of Emergency Management moved to its highest activation level Friday morning in anticipation of the imminent flooding, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told reporters during a news conference.

Hidalgo warned residents that the forecast has changed as heavy rains have already fallen in northern Polk County and will make their way to Harris County sooner than expected.

"Right now, you may think if you live in those neighborhoods that things have leveled off and we're good to go, but this threat is ongoing and it's going to get worse," she said. "It is not your typical river flood."

A flood watch is in effect in southeastern Texas and Louisiana. Numerous flash flood warnings are also in effect in Texas.

About 45 miles north of Houston, in Cleveland, Texas, a 12-hour old baby was medevaced by the Coast Guard due "reportedly experiencing low oxygen levels at Texas Emergency Hospital, which does not have a neonatal intensive care unit."

Due to flooding in the area, emergency workers were unable to transport the baby by ambulance.

Hidalgo noted that 700 homes have already flooded in Polk County.

"In some way seeing what's taking place there, it's like seeing the future," Hidalgo said.

The judge estimated that 100 Harris County homes are at risk for flooding.