After a long night things are getting back to normal in Houston. Overnight just over 8 inches fell in the downtown area with 4 inches in most of the out lying area except for some spots. Houston Fire Department ran non stop all night. You have to take your hats off to all the crews but mostly the crews of Rescue 11 who performed uncountable rescues overnight. Over 28 weather related rescues were performed. One being a man who was swept into Buffalo Bayou and was able to get to a tree near the downtown Aquarium before being rescued.Crews also searched a car found in Greens Bayou off Greens Parkway but there were no occupants. The doors were open and windshield wipers going as water climber over the windshield.
Transfield, a contractor for TXDOT which is Australian based had a great idea when they closed US 59 southbound at Cavalcade just before 10pm. Instead of diverting traffic onto 610 they closed it one exit past. The vehicles exiting the freeway were forced through high water on Collingsworth and US 59 feeder where at least 10 cars stalled out. Yet Hardy into downtown was completely clear with no standing water.
I-10 under Houston Avenue was reduced to the shoulder after it turned into a river spilling over the top of the concrete wall.
All the feeders on I-45 from West Road to 610 were under water with many water rescues performed by HFD Station 67 in Acres Homes.
I-45 at North Main was closed with high water.
Houston Fire Department ambulances had to divert from St. Lukes in the Medical Center after the ambulance dock went underwater.
Manhole covers in downtown Houston looked like geysers with water shooting out of them.
Lower level businesses along Buffalo Bayou were evacuated as water spilled over patio walls and filled building with water. Many lost musical equipment in the haste to get out. Buffalo Bayou spilled over Milam Street in the downtown area.
Memorial and Allen Parkway were both closed due to high water.
Braeswood Drive was under water in southwest Houston.
A tanker is currently grounded about 200 yards off Galveston Beach as winds pushed it onto a sand bar.
Houston Police were kept busy with a few wrecks, many rescues and very few robberies. Seems the robbers didn’t want to get wet last night.
A Sun Coast tanker traveling west on North Loop 610 at I-45 to fast for conditions jack-knifed closing the southbound exit from 610 to 45 and closing the westbound lanes of 610 North Loop.
One suggestion is get a TXTAG or Harris County Toll Road tag as with all the freeways flooding Hardy remained clear all the way into downtown.
