Harvey is causing 'epic catastrophic flooding' in Houston. Why wasn't the city evacuated? (WP)

[dalton99a]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/08/27/harvey-is-causing-epic-catastrophic-flooding-in-houston-why-wasnt-the-city-evacuated/
Harvey is causing ‘epic catastrophic flooding’ in Houston. Why wasn’t the city evacuated?
By Amy B Wang and Cleve R. Wootson Jr. | August 27 at 11:35 AM

Through Sunday morning, Harvey continued to unleash record levels of rain on Houston, causing “catastrophic” flooding in the city and in surrounding Harris County. At least one storm-related death in Houston was reported on Sunday, after a woman was found dead by her water-deluged car.

Over 24 hours, the greater Houston and Galveston area received 24.1 inches of rain. The National Weather Service warned of “additional catastrophic, unprecedented and life threatening flooding” into the next week, and placed flash-flood emergencies for all of Southeast Texas.

As the much-anticipated storm pummeled the country’s fourth-largest city — overwhelming the 911 system and sending some residents, against the advice of officials, into their attics to flee floodwaters — many asked the question: Should Houston have been evacuated? If so, why wasn’t it?

[Not Ruth]

1. They were afraid of what might happen in an evacuation

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9521415

[Hortensis]

10. Right. Because they knew what they were doing.

Well over 6 million in the metro area, by the way, most of whom are sheltering snug in their own homes right now, hoping the power doesn't go out or go out again.

[Demtexan]

2. Houston and the greater Houston area is rather large.

We have a major problem with over building.

Cement everyways.

My old neighbor is be town housed to death.

A lot of this flood is run off.

Rain used go into the ground.

O.hell it raining again.

We had a 15 minute break.

[Iliyah]

3. Stay safe!

[Demtexan]

4. Thank you.

My street looks like a lake.

[marybourg]

5. 4th largest city in the country. nt

[mcar]

6. 6+ million people in the greater Houston area

It would take more than a few days to do an evacuation.

Houston's AA Democratic mayor is being scapegoated.

[MFM008]

7. Looks just like NOLA

in 2005.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. Except Houston isn't below sea level

Evacuation orders were issued for the coastal areas, as well as areas close to waterways prone to flooding. Most of the areas flooding now have flooded before. Not all, but most. Many people have evacuated. The ones who haven't are often poor and/or elderly.

[MFM008]

12. I see that

It just LOOKS so similar.

[TexasBushwhacker]

15. Oh yes

The fact that we're up to 59' above sea level and still having this kind of flooding says something. But we're just so fucking flat. Within some downward momentum, the water can't flow fast enough.

[haveahart]

8. More people would die in the evacuation than staying in place. Staying in place does not mean

trying to move around in the flood waters.

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. Exactly

I just saw a family that had been evacuated from their 2 story townhome. They had about 3 feet of water on the first floor and that was likely to rise. They were not in any life threatening danger. A lot of people are in that kind of situation.

I live in a ground floor apartment. If the water starts to rise come in my apartment, I go upstairs and hope one of my neighbors has mercy on me. Otherwise, I hang out on the landing. But I'm not in any danger unless I decide to go swimming.

[LisaL]

11. Realistically you can't evacuate Houston unless given lots of time.

Too many people too few roads out.

[Blue Dalek]

13. I am from Houston....

and was there when Hurricane Rita was supposed to hit Houston in 2005 three weeks after Katrina. Evacuations were asked. Everyone and their brother evacuated all at the same time. I picked up my elderly mother who lives close to Galveston. 6 hours later, we were still in Houston. A 3.5 hour drive to Austin was a 24 hour drive. No, 6 million people cannot be evacuated in a couple of days.

[malaise]

14. Dickinson is even worse

and they were told to stay home



Following a plea heard all across social media, dozens of residents of a Dickinson nursing home have been safely evacuated in the midst of the epic flooding gripping the greater Houston area.

The photo of residents of La Vita Bella seemingly calmly sitting in wheelchairs and on sofas in water greater than waist-deep was widely circulated as viewers tried to determine its authenticity.

Ken Clark with the Galveston Office of Emergency Services confirms that photo was indeed real, and says that 20 - 25 residents have been evacuated to safety.

http://abc13.com/weather/viral-photo-dozens-rescued-from-flooded-nursing-home/2347953/

------------------------------
Thankfully the nursing home photo went viral an others were rescued

[Johnny2X2X]

17. Fresh water

A massive effort needs to be underway to get fresh water and food to people. This could be weeks before water is back up.