Tropical Depression Imelda inundated southeast Texas on Thursday, lashing some areas with torrential rain causing devastating flooding, leaving at least two dead and thousands of residents stranded. Rescuers in boats pulled hundreds from flooded cars.
In view of the situation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency for 13 counties in southeastern Texas. “This happened very quickly. It just demonstrates that in this day and time, climate change is real. We no longer have to be concerned just with a hurricane. We have to be concerned with almost any sort of weather system that can quickly evolve into a major storm and produce a great deal of rain,” Abbott said.
The deluge comes ahead of the mega “Howdy Modi” event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address over 50,000 Indian-Americans.
The airport is open, concessions are open but roads surrounding the airport are flooding. Flights are delayed.
— Houston Bush Airport (@iah) September 19, 2019
Latest report from FAA pic.twitter.com/l7WWNwpQC4
The storm, which had been churning over Houston on Wednesday, led to the cancellation of a number of flights to the city due to flash floods and the airport was initially at a full ground stop. However, the Houston Bush Airport authorities later confirmed that the airport is now open, but flights are delayed.
However, the airport further informed that flight arrivals will resume tomorrow and Terminal B checkpoint will be closed. Besides, roads approaching the Houston airport are flooded.
No arriving flights into Houston today, only few departing flights. Flight operations are estimated to resume tomorrow afternoon per the FAA. Will update if that changes to an earlier time. Check w/ airline on flight status. Roadways approaching IAH are clear at this time. pic.twitter.com/FDXH4JnhQl
— Houston Bush Airport (@iah) September 19, 2019
They also issued a long list of advisories on Twitter for its fliers. “Current road conditions, street flooding reported Will Clayton in/out bound from McKay Road to Lee Road and high water WCP outbound at SF and SC Bridges. JFK inbound outbound heavy ponding and high water reported,” they said.
However, the parking lots operated by the Houston Bush airport have not been flooded, which includes the garages and Eco park.
In the southwest part of Texas, residents were reporting water as deep as five feet and volunteers in boats were pushing their way into neighborhoods to rescue stranded people.
Meanwhile, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport received diverted flights due to impacts of Imelda.