Port Arthur and Beaumont, along with several smaller towns in southeast Texas were slammed hard with Hurricane Harvey Round II overnight. Twenty six inches of rain fell within 24 hours, and it’s still raining. Unfortunately, the system is spreading Eastward toward Louisiana and hitting all the small towns in between.
The Nation’s largest oil refinery is now shut down. And the people were desperate for help as the flood waters rose swiftly and emergency call centers were overwhelmed. Parts of I-10 and U.S. Hwy 69 are closed.
For anyone who thinks Harvey is over, Beaumont is flooding & they're starting to evacuate parts of Jefferson county & parts of i-10 r closed
— jinky the fruit bat is now hibernating (@jinky_fruitbat) August 29, 2017
The Texas Department of Transportation requested that people stay off the roads in Chambers County due to the major flooding.
Major flooding in Chambers Co. Please stay off the roads. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/gZy9JgySHa
— TxDOT-Beaumont (@TxDOTBeaumont) August 27, 2017
Screenshot via NBC
Port Arthur’s Shelter was inundated and water came up to the height of the cots inside. The Mayor advised residents to call for help, but NOT to go into the attic…but people went into their attics anyway instead of heading for the roof. He asked them to not post on social media but to call in even if you have to keep trying. But in desperation, numerous residents posted on Twitter.
Beaumont, Texas, close to Port Arthur, was also hard hit, with flood waters causing 350 alligators to escape from a gator park, with the waters still rising. One picture of that said it all:
These are what we are dealing with in southeast Texas. #Flooding #BeaumontFlooding pic.twitter.com/bChgsAfmpS
— Alt-Fight ?? (@AltFight) August 30, 2017
A woman with a small child died in Beaumont after she attempted to get out of her car and walk to safety. But the flood waters swept her and her 18 month old child away. The child was found clinging to her mother. The child is in stable condition, according to the Weather Channel. A second person was confirmed dead from the rising flood waters.
Beaumont woman with small child killed in Harvey related flooding https://t.co/79VKjbUTei pic.twitter.com/yWX8vnN82A
— KFDM News (@kfdmnews) August 30, 2017
BREAKING: @beaumont_police confirm a second person has died this morning from flooding. @abc3340 @spann #Harvey
— Stephen Quinn (@StephenQ3340) August 30, 2017
Lumberton, Texas, not far from Beaumont also flooded.
Flooding around Lumberton TX (near Beaumont). Just got down here at sunset so will see more tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/wRHROFE7LT
— Brian Emfinger (@brianemfinger) August 29, 2017
JUST IN: Flash flood emergencies in effect for areas near Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas.
THREAD of calls for help below.
Stay safe. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/T8GIboawtW— Holly O’Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) August 30, 2017
My aunt still has not been rescued. This is her roof window from the attic PLEASE PLEASE send help
820 Smith Rd Port Arthur, Texas 77640 pic.twitter.com/uTze7QpND6
— lil sam. (@_DamnSosa) August 30, 2017
Port Arthur, Texas 5:46 a.m.
Water has inundated 1,000’s of homes
1,000’s of residents displaced
1000’s still awaiting rescue
Catastrophic— Kelly McClintock (@1SETexan) August 30, 2017
Water rising quick please help ASAP please!!
820 smith street, port Arthur Texas,77640 pic.twitter.com/bV0pqG8VgI— LO.: (@LOsoCALIENTE) August 30, 2017
Situation in Port Arthur, Texas, is “dire” and residents are in “survival mode” as heavy rain from Harvey falls: https://t.co/kQQW7Ap4b9 pic.twitter.com/6H98ChAhHx
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 30, 2017
Port Arthur, Texas
Cody Hahn is with the Cajun Navy & they have boats ready to help tonight. Text him NOW if you need help. 832-872-6046— Trill Phill#2 (@Track_TooCole) August 30, 2017
I know the focus is all on Houston. But Beaumont has been hit hard too there is a lot of flooding, also 350 alligators have escaped ? pic.twitter.com/tkgWeDdwrh
— Mou?? (@Nc_staysolid) August 29, 2017
Featured Photo of I-10 from Twitter. Photo credit: Logan Wheat