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PHOTOS: Historic flooding devastates the Houston area

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Sunday, August 27, 2017
  • Oscar Peru of U.S. Customs and Border Protection searches for flood victims from a helicopter after torrential rains pounded the area on August 31, 2017 near Sugar Land, Texas.
  • This is a 'before' DigitalGlobe satellite imagery of Simonton, Texas, taken in November 2016.
  • This is an 'after' DigitalGlobe satellite imagery of Simonton, Texas on August 30, 2017.
  • In this Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, photo, volunteers with the Islamic Society of Greater Houston package donations at a mosque that was being used as a shelter.
  • Tyler Moody removes a mattress from a friend's home after floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey drenched the city Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston.
  • Liv Gilreath searches for salvageable items from a friend's home after floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey drenched the city, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston.
  • Rescue workers begin mandatory evacuations in the area beneath the Barker Reservoir as water is released in Houston, Texas on August 31.
  • A viewer sent in these photos of the rescue of a bunny found struggling in the water. They said after several hours of caring for it, the bunny was able to hop away.
  • A viewer sent in these photos of the rescue of a bunny found struggling in the water. They said after several hours of caring for it, the bunny was able to hop away.
  • Monster trucks and other vehicles in Spring, Texas during rescue efforts.
  • A young girl in Mississippi overheard her parents talking about a trip to Houston, so she offered to donate her doll with a sweet note. Her parents are Hurricane Katrina survivors.
  • Little JW Claburn welcomed the National Guard into his community, Rio Vista, with an American flag. JW will turn 5 on Sept. 6.
  • This dog is among the adoptable pets being sent to Atlanta to make room for rescued animals at the Houston SPCA.
  • Deer navigate the flood waters near Clay Road and Queenston Blvd in Houston.
  • A resident of the Lake Olympia neighborhood in Houston sent in this photo of a baby alligator, writing, ''The mother must be close by!''
  • A viewer sent in this photo showing the an Jacinto Rive over Highway 59.
  • Volunteers sort through donations in this viewer-submitted photo.
  • Downtown Houston, Texas is reflected in flooded Buffalo Bayou Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, as the city continues to recover from record flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.
  • Harvey flood evacuee Cyree Howard, 3, carries a ball through a shelter setup inside NRG Center Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • Cyree Howard, 3, is comforted by his mother's hand while inside a shelter setup inside NRG Center for victims of Harvey Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • Flood waters and pollution surround buildings in West Houston, TX on Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017.
  • U.S. Border Patrol Agent Steven Blackburn, left, checks if people wading in water need help during a search a rescue operation in a neighborhood inundated by floodwaters.
  • Harvey flood evacuee children look through donated shoes at a shelter setup inside NRG Center Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • Gillis Leho looks for documents in her car that was covered by floodwaters brought on by Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017.
  • Flooded homes are shown near Lake Houston following Hurricane Harvey August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • People watch as people are rescued ad brought to shore as flood waters surround houses and apartment complexes in West Houston, TX on Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017.
  • Children play at a shelter setup inside NRG Center for flood victims of Harvey Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • Citizen rescuers in Houston on Tuesday captured these photos.
  • Citizen rescuers in Houston on Tuesday captured these photos.
  • Citizen rescuers in Houston on Tuesday captured these photos.
  • Barry Horvitz hugs his wife Kim while standing outside their home after removing items damaged by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • Jose Martinez, right, works to remove drywall from a home damaged by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • Michael Saghian walks across the living room of his home damaged by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
  • A home is surrounded by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.
  • Houston police patrol the downtown area as the first days curfew ends after Hurricane Harvey caused heavy flooding in Houston, Texas on August 30, 2017.
  • The sun rises over the downtown area as the first days curfew ends after Hurricane Harvey caused heavy flooding in Houston, Texas on August 30, 2017.
  • A human chain is formed during a rescue operation at I-10 and Federal Road in Houston.
  • Glenda Montelongeo, Richard Martinez and his two sons are helped out of a boat after being rescued near Tidwell Road and Toll road 8 in Houston, TX on Tuesday.
  • The Houston Police rescues a woman stranded by the flood.
  • The Twitter user who posted this photo on Tuesday wrote, ''THE SUN IS OUT IN HOUSTON. I repeat. THE SUN IS OUT IN HOUSTON.''
  • The Harris County Sheriff posted this photo of residents rescued in a convoy while helping out with rescues on Tidwell Rd in Houston.
  • The Harris County Sheriff posted this photo on Tuesday while helping out with rescues on Tidwell Rd in Houston.
  • The Harris County Sheriff posted this photo on Tuesday while helping out with rescues on Tidwell Rd in Houston.
  • ''#PhotosFromtheField: One team, one mission. #TMDHarvey #Harvey,'' the Texas Military Department posted on Twitter.
  • The Houston Police rescues a dog stranded by the flood.
  • These photos show the view from downtown Houston three days in a row.
  • These photos show the view from downtown Houston three days in a row.
  • ''#PhotosFromtheField: One team, one mission. #TMDHarvey #Harvey,'' the Texas Military Department posted on Twitter.
  • These photos show the view from downtown Houston three days in a row.
  • The Houston Police rescue a group stranded by the flood.
  • The Houston Police rescue a group stranded by the flood.
  • Loved ones help put rain coats on children after they escaped a flooded neighborhood during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • Members of the US Coast Guard help residents leave a flooded residential area during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • People walk to a Harris County Sheriff air boat while escaping a flooded neighborhood during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • Volunteer Asuleni Santiago, 11, carries donated clothes for victims of the flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey at a shelter opened at the Lakewood Church in Houston on Tuesday.
  • Highways around downtown Houston are empty as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey overflow from the bayous around the city Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.
  • Volunteers Brenda Tcoc, right, and Hugo Wilson help sort bags of donated clothes for victims of the flooding after a shelter opened at the Lakewood Church on Tuesday.
  • Harris County Constable Pct. 2 Christopher E. Diaz posted this photo searching for the mother of the baby found in Houston. They have since been reunited.
  • People take shelter at Alief Taylor High School.
  • People take shelter at Alief Taylor High School.
  • Residents evacuate near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.
  • Evacuees make their way though floodwaters near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.
  • Evacuees are helped as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.
  • Homes are flooded near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.
  • Vian Janse van Rensburg and his family in Katy, Texas, got their dogs to safety using what they had, an inflatable swan.
  • Alexis Hernandez holds her daughter Faith as they make their way into the crowded George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.
  • A father is reunited with his children who were evacuated in the Clodine district after Hurricane Harvey caused heavy flooding in Houston, Texas on August 29, 2017.
  • Volunteer rescuers evacuate people from a flooded residential area during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • Rescue workers and volunteers help residents make their way out of a flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water on August 29, 2017 in Houston.
  • ''#PhotosFromTheField: 36th CAB @36thInfantryDiv in action during rescue operations in #Texas. #Harvey #TMDHarvey @USNationalGuard'' the Texas Military Department wrote.
  • Ezekiel Lyons, left, walks with his wife at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.
  • Robert Salgado, 2, sleeps on the floor at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.
  • People rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.
  • Benedict Lim and his son, Jacob Lim, delivered home-cooked food to neighbors on their inflatable kayak in this viewer-submitted photo from Houston.
  • Koi from the Lone Star Koi Club swim around the flood waters in this viewer-submitted photo. The viewer wrote ''One of those sights that one would laugh and cry at the same time.''
  • A Coast Guard helicopter lowers someone in Houston, TX on Monday, Aug 28, 2017.
  • Barb Davis, 74. is helped to dry land after being rescued from her flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water, on August 28, 2017.
  • People move from helicopters to busses as they land on Highway 69 after being rescued in Houston, TX on Monday, Aug 28, 2017.
  • A flood victim in a wheel chair is helped off a delivery truck after being rescued during Hurricane Harvey, Monday, August 28, 2017.
  • People are rescued from a flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water, remnants of Hurricane Harvey, on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • A man waves down a rescue crew as he tries to leave the area after it was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • Rescue workers discovered southeast Houston resident Betty Walter sheltering 21 neighborhood dogs. Walter and the dogs were all rescued.
  • ''#PhotosFromTheField: #Evacuees and #NationalGuard take shelter in #Houston on 28 August, 2017. #Harvey'' wrote the Texas Military Department on Twitter.
  • A neighbor does not believe anyone was home in this burning building in Friendswood, Texas. Firefighters were unable to reach it.
  • An explosion has rocked a building on Fannin Street in downtown Houston on Monday.
  • ''Out of food and water for these 200+ people anything good would help!!!'' wrote Serena McDougle from 1st Bapt Church in North Houston.
  • A family in Houston posted this photo from their rescue.
  • A 60-year-old female died in East Montgomery County when a tree fell on her while she slept, the sheriff's office confirmed.
  • People are rescued from a hotel by boat after Hurricane Harvey caused heavy flooding in Houston, Texas on August 27, 2017.
  • Stranded vehicles sit where they got stuck in high water from Hurricane Harvey on Dairy Ashford Drive, August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • The downtown Houston skyline and flooded highway 288 are seen August 27, 2017 as the city battles with tropical storm Harvey and resulting floods.
  • Naomi Coto carries Simba on her shoulders as they evacuate their home after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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  • People view the flooded highways in Houston on August 27, 2017 as the city battles with tropical storm Harvey and resulting floods.
  • A man helps children across a flooded street as they evacuate their home after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • A charred, abandoned car is seen on Interstate 610 North August 27, 2017 in Houston as the city battles with tropical storm Harvey and resulting floods.
  • People walk through the flooded waters of Telephone Rd. in Houston on August 27, 2017 as the US fourth city city battles with tropical storm Harvey and resulting floods.
  • People push a truck down a flooded street after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • Residents are evacuated from their homes surrounded by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Aug. 27, 2017 in Houston.
  • Evacuees wade down a flooded section of Interstate 610 as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise on Aug. 27, 2017 in Houston.
  • Jayveon Murphy, 10, makes is way through floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey to check on a neighbor at his apartment complex in Houston on Aug. 27, 2017.
  • Wilford Martinez, right, waits to be rescued by Harris County Sheriff's Dept. after his car got stuck in floodwaters on Aug. 27, 2017 in Houston.
  • A man helps a woman in floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Aug. 27, 2017 in Houston.
  • Residents are rescued from their homes surrounded by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Aug. 27, 2017 in Houston.
  • Flooding from Hurricane Harvey up to the street lights at Beltway 8 and Main
  • ''View from the front door. #hurricaneharvey #hurricaneharvey2017 #rainraingoaway,'' wrote an Instagram user in Dickinson
  • ''About 3 feet of water in the house now. The cars are toast. Luckily we are safe. #prayfortexas #prayforhouston #hurricane #harvey,'' wrote an Instagram user in Meyerland.
  • Searching for dry land as Tropical Storm Harvey hits the Houston area on Aug. 27, 2017
  • About 60 wheelchair-bound and four bed-ridden individuals from Friendswood Care Center Retirement home were rescued on Aug. 27, 2017. (David Cravens)
  • About 60 wheelchair-bound and four bed-ridden individuals from Friendswood Care Center Retirement home were rescued on Aug. 27, 2017. (David Cravens)
  • George Bush Park Reservoir at 3 p.m. Aug. 27, 2017. (Randy Garner)
  • 2100 Memorial senior home in Houston, which has about 190 elderly residents, has six feet of water on Aug. 27, 2017.
  • Allen Parkway and I-45 in downtown Houston on Aug. 27, 2017. (Sam Gordy)
  • Feeder road collapsing onto Beltway 8 on Aug. 27, 2017. (Andrew Holland)
  • Coast Guard rescue near Edgebrook and I-45 on Aug. 27, 2017.
  • Intersection of Sheldon Rd and I-10 on Aug. 27, 2017.
  • A street in the Needville Rosemeadow Subdivision on Hurricane Harvey. (Amber Atkinson)
  • Water reached the top of the bayou. Telephone Avenue and Bellfort Street in Houston on Aug. 27, 2017.
  • ''#USCG Flood Punt Teams conducting urban search and rescue in greater #houston area. #Harvey,'' tweeted the US Coast Guard.
  • ''#USCG Flood Punt Teams conducting urban search and rescue in greater #houston area. #Harvey,'' tweeted the US Coast Guard.
  • ''Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies are out in the Blackhorse subdivision still working high water rescues,'' the office wrote on Facebook
  • US Coast Guard Heartland Flood Punt Teams conducting urban search and rescue in the greater Houston area.
  • US Coast Guard Heartland Flood Punt Teams conducting urban search and rescue in the greater Houston area.
  • An airboat is used to rescue people from an apartment building.
  • Texas National Guard rescues Texans from floodwaters in Houston area.
  • Texas National Guard rescues Texans from floodwaters in Houston area.
  • Texas National Guard rescues Texans from floodwaters in Houston area.
  • Texas National Guard rescues Texans from floodwaters in Houston area.
  • Rosemont Bridge over Buffalo Bayou.
  • Flooding outside the Wortham Center in downtown Houston.
  • A flooded runway roads just outside Hobby Airport
  • Flooded runway and roads at Hobby Airport.
  • A viewer submitted this photo from Northwest Houston
  • The Texas Military Department wrote, ''#BREAKINGNEWS: #Texas #NationalGuard are using every means available to save Texans in #Houston. #TMDHarvey #Harvey @USNationalGuard.''
  • The Texas Military Department wrote, ''#BREAKINGNEWS: #Texas #NationalGuard are using every means available to save Texans in #Houston. #TMDHarvey #Harvey @USNationalGuard.''
  • The Texas Military Department wrote, ''#BREAKINGNEWS: #Texas #NationalGuard are using every means available to save Texans in #Houston. #TMDHarvey #Harvey @USNationalGuard.''
  • The Texas Military Department wrote, ''#BREAKINGNEWS: #Texas #NationalGuard are using every means available to save Texans in #Houston. #TMDHarvey #Harvey @USNationalGuard.''
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Oscar Peru of U.S. Customs and Border Protection searches for flood victims from a helicopter after torrential rains pounded the area on August 31, 2017 near Sugar Land, Texas.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

HOUSTON, Texas -- A flash flood emergency in Houston has displaced families, stranded motorists, and left many people wondering what might happen next.

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