Strong storms caused sudden flooding in Houston and nearby Texas areas, with Pecan Park hit hardest. The National Weather Service urged residents to avoid flooded roads.
Strong storms on Sunday afternoon led to sudden and heavy flooding across Houston in Texas and nearby areas. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning as torrential rain transformed streets and underpasses into rivers.
Doppler radar and weather instruments measured nearly 4 inches of rainfall, with the heaviest accumulation near Pecan Park. Forecasters cautioned that an additional 2 inches could fall later in the day, potentially worsening conditions.
Water levels began to rise in low-lying areas, small creeks, underpasses, and residential streets. The flooding also spread to major highways and busy city roads, making travel extremely risky. Authorities warned that urban flooding was expected to persist in several parts of the city.
Areas such as Pasadena, Pearland, Deer Park, South Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, Galena Park, Jacinto City, and neighbourhoods closer to downtown, such as Greater Eastwood, Near Northside, Midtown, and Fourth Ward, stay at a higher risk.
Several videos available online on social media showed people struggling to move through deep water in South Houston. In one video, people could be seen wading toward higher ground after an SUV stalled in rising floodwaters.
Another clip from an underpass at Interstate 45 and Wayside Drive showed two vehicles almost completely submerged.
The National Weather Service advised residents to stay away from flooded roads and not to attempt driving through deep water, cautioning that conditions could worsen if the rainfall persists.