Tropical depression Imelda drenches Texas, spurs Harvey-like flooding

Live Coverage September 20, 2019 at 05:00 AM
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Tropical depression Imelda brought three days of unrelenting rain to the Houston area, Galveston and the Texas coast this week, causing severe flooding as the storm dumped three feet of water across the region. Floodwaters paralyzed roadways, closed schools and disrupted oil refineries. Exxon Mobil Corp. shut its Beaumont chemical plant, while both Valero Energy Corporation and Total SA cut rates at nearby refineries, according to Bloomberg. In Houston, Imelda is threatening to bring more than 12 inches of rain by the time the storm is over, tying a record set by Hurricane Harvey for the highest amount for one storm in that region. Galveston also experienced record levels of flooding as Wednesday's rain total topped 8 inches, causing flooding that closed roadways and damaged buildings.

Hurricane Humberto hits Bermuda

Hurricane Humberto also hit Bermuda this week. The Category 3 storm came through Bermuda packing 120 mph winds that knocked out 80% of the island's power and left 27,000 residents in the dark. According to government reports, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service reported 17 minor incidents including gas leaks, 9 medical incidents and 3 structural fires that officials said were not serious. Humberto quickly lost strength and is expected to be downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone by Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center reports. See also: