Record rainfall shuts down Houston

In a city that is used to being hit with rain, the last few weeks saw record rainfall. By Tuesday, Houston had shut down. 

The rain started around May 5 and has not let up. The already saturated ground can't handle anymore water. 

Even the city's intricate system of bayous and gullies couldn't handle the runoff. This led to many of them breaching their banks and flood many residents, who had little time to prepare. 

Fans at the Houston Rockets game on Memorial Day were told to stay in Toyota Center until the rain let up. However, a few defied orders and ventured out into the rain, only to find their vehicles were submerged. 

Even the city's bus system and light rail was suspended until further notice. This is because most of downtown and many freeways were under water. However, by mid afternoon, some buses and the light rail lines were back in service. 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already declared parts of Texas as disaster areas. Houston is included in that list. 

So far, there are seven confirmed fatalities and many more missing. Fire crews and police are telling people not to venture out until the waters recede.  

The floods turned deadly for Houston firefighters after a rescue boat carrying an elderly couple, their daughter, and another rescued victim capsized. The daughter and the two firemen performing the rescue were fished out of the raging waters. Sadly, the elderly couple and the other flood victim were among the seven fatalities so far. 

With more rain in the forecast, the already saturated ground cannot handle any more runoff. Hopefully, this week brings the last of the rain for a while.