Flood Waters Continue To Rise In Texas

HOUSTON, TX (WTVD) -- Parts of Texas are drenched in more than 17 inches of water, forcing highways to close. An area of low pressure continues to dump rain on the Lone Star state, and more is on the way this week.

One of the hardest cities hit is Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner held a news conference Monday morning, and asked that people stay out of danger, and off the roads. "Unless it's an extreme, extreme emergency. I'm encouraging all Houstonians to stay at home," he said.

The extreme conditions forced the closure of schools and government buildings. Turner said only essential government employees were allowed to work.

Emergency crews have responded to more than 900 emergency rescues as the rising water trapped drivers on roadways and residents inside their homes.

"This is an unprecedented amount of rain that we are getting," Mayor Turner said. "It seems as though this system is hovering over the city of Houston, and it's being stubborn and not moving anytime fast."

Turner also noted that there have been 44,000 power outages in the city today.

Houston isn't the only city seeing the effects. Homes near the Brazos River, outside of Dallas, are now underwater. Roads are completely hidden, and only the tops of trees are visible as the water continues to rise. Bayous continue to overflow the banks as well.

The rain has also disrupted travel to thousands of people, hoping to get out of the Houston Metro Area.

City officials also closed all bus and rail services Monday due to the dangerous conditions.