Trouble in Houston

Tropical storm Harvey continues its onslaught on Texas, particularly Houston, with immense showers of rain causing life-threatening flooding.

Many residents needed to be evacuated as the deadly flooding has already taken the lives of nine people. With this, Trinidadians’ concern for their friends and relatives has grown.

With Harvey downgrading from a hurricane, many residents who stayed at their homes thought that its impact would not be as brutal. However, some of them found themselves trapped in their houses and needed to to evacuated.

Gerard Alfred, who previously lived in Santa Rosa and now resides in Houston, was trapped in a bar during the storm last Saturday.

Alfred had initially underestimated the impact of the storm in his area. However, he later needed to be assisted to safety as he was trapped by flood waters. One of his relatives said, “We’re concerned and worried for his safety now that things have changed.”

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said yesterday, that with the fourth day of heavy flooding almost 30,000 Houston residents were estimated to seek emergency shelter and 450,000 are expected to seek disaster assistance. The NHC later said that Harvey was moving eastward towards Morgan City in Louisiana.

They warned of its impact saying, “Ongoing catastrophic and life-threatening flooding will continue across Southeastern Texas.”

This has Trinidadianas worried for the locals that may be residing there.

A Chaguanas resident said, “I’m worried and pray that the storm misses them so that no one will be displaced.”

Enrique Assoon, who could not contact his family in Houston, expressed deep concern for them as the flooding had become life-threatening.

He said, “I’m not getting any response at all from my family. I’m really worried and scared for them because I’ve been trying to message them on all social media platforms and I can’t reach them.”

The locally-based family of Vincentian Lorna Thomas said that their concern grew as water levels in front her house increased.

Her niece, Marion Thomas, said after receiving a picture of flooding in Lorna’s front yard she had not been able to contact her aunt.

Many Trinidadians are worrying for their family living in Houston and are continuing to pray for their safety.