Houston Mayor: ‘Do Not Get Out On The Road!’

HOUSTON, TX — While Hurricane Harvey continues to punish Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner had a calm voice and urgent message for residents Sunday morning to address torrential rains and widespread flooding as Houston is underwater. He said stay home, get off the road and do not call 911 unless it’s life threatening.

Harvey, now a tropical storm, dropped rain all over the Bayou City starting Saturday evening and going throughout the night. Neighborhoods are underwater, major thoroughfares are underwater, bayous are overflowing and people are stranded. Resumes are taking place all over the city and some folks are stranded in their vehicles on highways because the exit ramps are flooded.

“This is a serious and unprecedented storm,” Turner said. “We anticipate several other days.”

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Turner urged residents to stay off the roads and to be careful in their homes. He said to not call for help unless folks are in grave danger. The catastrophic flooding has already drawn parallels to Hurricane Allison, and some have said this will far surpass Allison.

Houston ISD has cancelled classes next week, which was originally scheduled to be the first days of the school year. George R. Brown Convention Center will open as a shelter, and the Chinese Community Shelter will be open soon.

Metro has cancelled bus service, but Turner said Metro will use its busses to help transport rescued people to shelters.

“This storm will not kill our spirit,” Turner said. “We will continue making rescues. Please be patient, we will get to you.”

Turner Houston police and fire departments have received more than 2,000 rescue calls on 911, and he said there have been 60 added barricade locations since midnight.

Turner urged residents to only call 911 if it’s life threatening.

“If you’re getting water and it’s not life threatening, please stay put,” Turner said. “We need you to help us. There are many calls coming into 911, and many aren’t life threatening. Everyone is important and we’re going to work together to address the needs.”