NEW CANEY, Texas — At least eight people and 30 pets were rescued from rising floodwaters along the San Jacinto River early Wednesday, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
Heavy rain from Sunday night caused the San Jacinto River to rise, specifically near the East Fork, which is just east of New Caney and northwest of Huffman.
On Tuesday, residents living near that part of the area and surrounding low-lying areas were placed under voluntary evacuation orders because officials expected the river to crest at 15 feet early Wednesday.
Wednesday afternoon, Hidalgo said the river crested at 13 feet, causing 6 to 7 feet of water to flood the Idle Glen neighborhood. There was also flooding to the Magnolia Point community and the Commons of Lake Houston area, Hidalgo said.
Rachel Johnson has lived in Idle Glen for almost 20 years.
“That’s the first time we’ve ever actually had the police department and fire department come out and say, ‘Hey the waters are actually rising. It’s time to think about what to do, get out,’” Johnson said.
Many people paid attention to the warnings. Some, like Rigo Carias, stayed put. He waded through feet of water to reach his landlord's home. Carias spoke to one of our reporters over the phone while he stood, basically, on an island.
“I’ve seen a snake, that’s about it," Carias said. "Other than that, a lot of work afterward, clean-up.”
Though floodwaters started to recede Wednesday afternoon, the threat of more rain made Hidalgo warn residents to stay alert.
"What will likely, what we need to prepare for, is people in this area having to be with limited accessibility longer than we thought," Hidalgo said. "It may be that it [flooding] goes into the weekend."
Hidalgo said the incoming rain is expected to impact the same residents who are experiencing flooding from the San Jacinto River, as well as residents west of Houston -- specifically those in Cypress and Spring.
"It's less likely that'll be heavy enough for there to be an impact beyond some street flooding, as is expected, but we do want folks to know to be weather aware and to be responsible for themselves and their families," Hidalgo said.
Shelters opened for residents who had to evacuate.
- Leon Grayson/Baldree Community Center -- 13828 Corpus Christi Street, Houston, TX
- Calvary Baptist Church -- 816 North Blair Avenue, Cleveland, TX
- Philippian's New Faith Missionary Baptist Church -- 7858 Angus Street, Houston, TX