Several deaths have been reported due to the massive storms that wreaked havoc throughout Texas and Oklahoma on Tuesday, with Houston getting perhaps the worst hit.
Houston was hammered with over 11 inches of rain that started early Tuesday morning and continued throughout the day.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker told CNN: “The defining feature of Houston is the small rivers that run through the city, many of them went over their banks and began to flood neighborhoods.”
Videos and images, like the ones seen below, show the chilling scene in the area.
Houston this morning at 45 and N Main #HOUfloods #houwx pic.twitter.com/edAynmNtk4
— CodyChronPhotog (@CodyJDuty) May 26, 2015
Wild morning in @DowntownHouston – BuffaloBayou out of its banks. Hard to tell where the streets are. @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/ed3ELB8yd0
— Steve Campion (@SteveABC13) May 26, 2015
Photos: Aerial views of flooding in Houston http://t.co/lhA8mtWU53 #KHOU #HouNews #HoustonFlood pic.twitter.com/0BklJpkw5q
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) May 26, 2015
According to KHOU.com, “much of southwest Houston and north Houston remained underwater, including parts of the West Loop and the North Freeway.”
The Houston Police Department warn motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded roads, as the water is often much deeper than it appears.
Local fire departments have been called to more than 500 flood related emergencies. The Red Cross is currently collection donations to aid in the recovery and rescue efforts.