For a good portion of this week, severe weather from Imelda—a tropical storm that was downgraded to a tropical depression—has pummeled Houston and much of southeast Texas.
According to the National Weather Service, Thursday was the wettest day ever in September in the Houston area, and it was the fifth wettest calendar day ever recorded. This month also is wettest September in the city's history.
RELATED:
- Tropical Storm Imelda's Remnants Soak Southeast TX
- Three Hurt When Houston Postal Building Roof Collapses
- TX Station Floods While FFs Perform High-Water Rescues
- Imelda Blamed for at Least Two TX Deaths
The heavy rainfall has meant firefighters, police and other first responders have been busy rescuing stranded residents, as well as navigating flooded areas in order to handle home evacuations, abandoned vehicles, downed trees and power lines and other emergencies. Here's a look at what those department and agencies have been doing to keep residents safe.
Houston Fire Department
At 2:45 a.m. Friday, Houston firefighters responded to 1,990 emergencies, with 142 of those involving high-water rescues after midnight. Crews also responded to five fires.
Houston Police Department
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo assisted residents who needed evacuating from their homes, and one individual even joked with him about being in the witness protection program.
Harris County Sheriff's Office
Harris County Sheriff's Office was called to help Westfield firefighters transport a 10-year-old girl in Aldine to the hospital. The fire department's apparatus was unable to reach the girl's home, but deputies were able to use their high-water vehicle to get her to an awaiting ambulance.
Harris County sheriff's marine unit also helped Huffman firefighters, as well as Texas Game Warden boating units, evacuate residents from their flooded homes.
Crosby volunteer firefighters were part of the effort, too.
Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department
Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Capt. Chris Garcia demonstrates the department's specially outfitted apparatus created for dealing with flooding and high-water rescues.
Firefighter in Training
Finally, a Houston boy was trying to find a rainbow among all the raindrops. The mother of 5-year-old Jaycob shared photos and video footage via KTRK-TV of the boy dressed in his own firefighting gear as he jumped in the puddles on the bridge over Buffalo Bayou on Thursday.
And the reason Jaycob wasn't wearing his firefighter's jacket with the rest of his gear? That's because there wasn't a fire, his mom told the TV station.
