CLEVELAND, Texas — The sun was shining bright on Thursday, but high water was still a concern for many communities in Southeast Texas after days of heavy rain inundated the region.
In Cleveland, two cars were stuck in high water along county roads not too far from the San Jacinto River, which was expected to rise to a crest of 20 feet -- the highest it has been since 2001.
By Thursday afternoon, the water slowly started to recede along County Road 388, but with the river expected to rise, residents didn't know what effect it would have on the passability of the road.
One car was stuck in high water on County Road 288. The driver was too shaken up to talk on camera, but she did explain what she was thinking in the heat of the moment and how she was more worried about what was inside the car than the car itself.
"The fact that it (the car) has my grandmother's pictures, and my grandmother is no longer here, and, like, pictures of me and my mom, and my mom's in a nursing home, I had to get that car," Chantel Green said.
Green said she was on her way to work when she noticed high water on her usual route. She said she decided to take another route thinking that it would be OK, but it wasn't. Thankfully, she was able to get out and walk out of the high water to safety.
"I stand five-three, and so, the water was up to my knees and I knew if I didn't get my car out somehow that I was not going to be able to rescue that (The photos)," Green said.
Green said she had to call a few tow truck companies and one finally agreed to come pull her car out of the water. She said she was grateful for the help.
"She needed help. I mean, that's just what we're supposed to do -- help each other," tow truck driver Dewayne Anderson said.
The company that pulled Green's car out said they were planning to keep driving around to see if anyone else needed help. They reminded people to not try to go through high water even if they think their car can handle it.