HOUSTON – As the waters slowly begin to recede inch by inch from severely flooded areas, first responders and volunteers from all over are continuing to arrive by the hundreds, in hopes of lending a helping hand to Houston and its surrounding cities.
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In the first rain-free day for the city since Harvey arrived just three days ago, KSAT’s Storm Chaser truck traveled around Houston to survey the heavily impacted neighborhoods affected by the storm.
However, just 90 miles east of downtown Houston, flooding in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area progressed after receiving more than 25 inches of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Harvey in a matter of 24 hours.
Video shows raging floodwaters by I-10 as Beaumont-Port Arthur area hit by up to 25 inches of rain overnight https://t.co/1nRk8gb0KQ pic.twitter.com/NvNTV75Ug2
— ABC News (@ABC) August 30, 2017
The KSAT Storm Chaser crew was aware of the tragic situation in the cities, but unable to make the trip to east Texas safely.
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For Ricardo Rodriguez from Palestine, Texas, risking his life in order to save others is why he made the four-hour trip to Houston on Friday.
“I got two little girls and I don’t want leave kids out here,” Rodriguez, 26, said. “And so we’ve pulled people out and we’ve had 10 people in my jeep standing and stacked in trying to get them out tall waters.”
I don't even know how many boats, rafts, air boats we counted going east toward Beaumont/Port Arthur... It was a lot. Bless these people. pic.twitter.com/T1WrmNJtYl
— Kaiti Blake (@KaitiBlake) August 30, 2017
Rodriguez said he’s doing everything he can with the supplies he has that includes his trusty, old, two-door red Jeep.
“We’ve had water coming in my doors and my Jeep sits about three and a half feet off the ground and still driving through it, trying to get them out,” Rodriguez said.
For Ricardo Rodriguez, making the four hour trip from Palestine to Houston was worth every minute after saving people from tough situations. pic.twitter.com/tRVaz8aqx2
— Adrian Garcia (@KSATadrian) August 30, 2017
The one image that haunts Rodriguez during his rescue missions is when there’s no more room in his Jeep and has to leave a kid or any person behind.
“The fact of leaving a kid behind and you don’t have enough room and you have to go back not knowing what’s going to happen to that kid when you go back to get him,” Rodriguez said.
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Rodriguez said he plans to head over to the Beaumont-Port Arthur cities to help with the rescue and recovery efforts after finding many residents there have called for help over social media.
Like Rodriguez, a countless number of volunteers were seen heading east on Highway 90 in the direction of the two cities, using their vehicles to pull large boats and rafts.
A lot of trucks w/ boats traveling down HWY 90E in the same direction as Beaumont/Port Arthur who are still dealing w/ #Harvey. #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/duo0Eayj2U
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) August 30, 2017
The support heading towards East Texas even included some first responders from the San Antonio-area, such as Bexar County Emergency Service District, Schertz Fire Rescue, Converse Fire and EMS, Alamo Heights Fire Rescue and the Universal City Fire Department.
This afternoon 30 SAPD officers began preparations for today's departure to Houston, Texas. Just moments ago these men ...
Posted by San Antonio Police Department on Wednesday, August 30, 2017
On Wednesday, the San Antonio Police Department announced 25 of its police officers along with five supervisors are being sent to provide any assistance the Houston Police Department may need.
Below is a collection of images and videos captured by KSAT’s Storm Chaser truck of areas affected by Harvey in Houston and surrounding cities.
Memorial & Beltway 8.
— Kaiti Blake (@KaitiBlake) August 30, 2017
I can't find words. pic.twitter.com/RpIv1hSZPV
Currently, Beltway 8 near the #Houston Memorial area looks like this! The water nearly touching the top of the overpass. #KSATnews #Harvey pic.twitter.com/Mbph8AeJiG
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) August 30, 2017
I DON'T ADVISE DOING THIS, but seems as though the only vehicles getting through flooding in #Houston are semi trucks. @ksatnews #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/Nnt7DAIFdm
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) August 30, 2017
I-10 at Cedar Lane - near Channelview - is closed in both directions. Water looks to be up to 3.5 feet deep. #houston #harveyflood pic.twitter.com/nqawJxpP0W
— Kaiti Blake (@KaitiBlake) August 30, 2017
Bexar County Emergency Services District seen headed to Beaumont on HWY 90 in Crosby-Boerne, Alamo Heights, Schertz...to name a few pic.twitter.com/kQzcW9XCNs
— Kaiti Blake (@KaitiBlake) August 30, 2017
Despite water over the road, commuters are taking the risk to cross HWY 90 in both directions in Crosby, TX. Stick w/ @ksatnews #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/vNtF2mhl2l
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) August 30, 2017
#TexasStrong pic.twitter.com/igMMDVH1WG
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) August 30, 2017
A new day means new hope for #Texas. This will be 1st rain-free day for many in the greater #Houston area, including Wharton⬇️ #TexasStrong pic.twitter.com/e3O0AyIqzw
— Kaiti Blake (@KaitiBlake) August 30, 2017
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