Interstates Under Water, Airports Closed as Imelda Floods Southeast Texas

Courtesy CNN/Macy Malin

HOUSTON (AP) – Part of a busy interstate in Texas is shut down because of flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda, stranding some drivers on the roadway.

Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Sarah Dupre says officials do not know exactly how many people are stranded in their cars on Interstate 10, which is shut down from Beaumont to Winnie. Dupre says the department is currently working with local law enforcement on a plan to get those people off the roadway.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne says the sheriff’s office is focusing on high water rescues in Winnie and neighboring Stowell.

Hawthorne says some residents are up on their roofs because of rising floodwaters.

Volunteers with the non-profit, Texas Baptist Men, are preparing to help flood victims in the Harris county area.

The organization’s John Hall says initially volunteers will be in the Beaumont area. They are not sure how long they will be deployed.

You can help by making a donation at www.tbmtx.org.

Hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston due to heavy rain and flooding in Southeast Texas.

Airport officials reported a full ground stop Thursday morning, meaning no flights landing or departing, with flooding on some roads leading to the airport in far north Houston.

The flight tracking service FlightAware reported nearly 200 flights canceled Thursday at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with more than 300 other flights delayed.

Airport spokeswoman Saba Abashawl said some inbound flights were diverted to William P. Hobby Airport, on the south side of Houston.

(Copyright 2019, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)