Imelda may not have been a powerful storm, but the damage left behind is proving to be catastrophic (watch the latest from CBS News above). The National Weather Service in Houston says, “The PRELIMINARY highest storm total rainfall amount of 43.15 inches in Jefferson County, TX would make #Imelda the 7th wettest tropical cyclone in United States history.” That rainfall left hundreds of people trapped in their homes. The Houston Chronicle reports:
Officials in Harris County, which includes Houston, said there had been a combination of at least 1,700 high-water rescues following Thursday’s torrential rainfall.
“The water is getting lower and it’s time for assessment and to move into recovery,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county’s top administrator.
Most of the Houston-area roads that became water-logged after heavy rainfall Thursday and resulted in more than 1,650 vehicles being abandoned and later towed were mostly dry on Friday.
As for damage estimates, it seems the wheels are not moving fast from the federal government.
It could be weeks before flooded Texans know if federal disaster aid is coming their way.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state disaster as Imelda moved in, but only a federal declaration comes with financial aid for victims, and that decision hasn’t been made yet.
And Donald Trump hasn’t weighed in.
Houston’s under water from Imelda with 2 confirmed dead. Don’t need to be a sharpie, GLOBAL WARMING’s real & here to stay…not 1 tweet from @potus @realDonaldTrump on this disaster and human suffering. Why? He doesnt care. Godspeed Houston. pic.twitter.com/r4roDvKvks
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) September 20, 2019