Shelters swell as water-logged Houston deals with aftermath of Harvey
Aug 30, 2017, 8:27 AM
Kinnette Middleton greets her older son, days after they were separated by the storm. They were re-united at an LDS Stake center north of Houston.
HOUSTON — Days that feel like weeks. That’s how some people describe their experience in and around Houston as water continues to chase some people out of their homes. Even though blue skies greeted people Wednesday morning, some new areas were under evacuation due to emergency releases from reservoirs south and west of Houston.
Late Tuesday, Harris County officials opened NRG Stadium, the home of the Houston Texans, as a shelter capable of housing up to 10,000 people. Busloads began arriving there almost immediately, while others chose their own shelter options.
Josie Pugh, of Angleton, chose to stay in her car at a truck stop north of Houston.
“I went through Carla as a teenager,” Pugh said. “So I knew certain categories, you get out.”
She’s not sure if her house was flooded, but Pugh said she lives near a bayou, so she’s pretty sure at least the ground level was flooded.
Professionals and volunteers alike continued to move into flooded areas, looking for anyone who wanted to get out. John Zetelski got an old jeep running, so he could drive through high water.
“I stayed up all night the other night,” Zetelski said. “Luckily we had power. I had something to weld up on the front end. That thing’s been sitting for years,” he said.
That thing is a 1981 Jeep with a high clearance suspension. Zetelski said he was able to get some people to dry land.
The effort continues. FEMA officials Tuesday morning said it is still very much a rescue and life safety operation, even as the storm moves to the northeast.
