Texas rescues dozens as former Tropical Storm Edouard brings heavy rain and flooding
Former Tropical Storm Edouard stalled over eastern Texas, prompting rescues, power outages and school closures as rainfall approached two feet in some areas.
Texas emergency officials rescued dozens of people from flooded vehicles, homes and an assisted-living facility on Wednesday as former Tropical Storm Edouard lingered over the region, delivering up to two feet of rain in places. The National Weather Service warned that the storm, which weakened to a tropical depression after landfall on Tuesday, could continue to affect eastern Texas through Thursday morning.
In Hardin County, about 85 miles northeast of Houston, officials reported flooding, downed trees and power lines, debris and ongoing power outages. Rainfall totals of 18-20 inches over the past two days far exceeded the September monthly average of 5.5 inches, according to meteorologist Nick Slaughter. The county’s emergency management office said 12 motorists were rescued from flooded roadways, two people were rescued from a flooded home, roughly ten structures were damaged by trees and thousands remained without electricity.
Jefferson County, roughly 80 miles northeast of Houston, focused on restoring power after wind gusts reached 90 mph and knocked down trees and limbs. About 22,000 customers were still without power, representing nearly half of the 50,000 utility customers affected statewide.
An assisted-living facility in Hardin County was evacuated, with 21 residents moved to safety by Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, who were seen wading through thigh-deep water.
Elsewhere in the Pacific, three hurricanes—Marie, Lowell and Karina—continued to intensify, generating swells that could produce hazardous surf and rip-current conditions along parts of Mexico, California, Hawaii and the Baja California peninsula.