A Filipino based in Houston, Texas shared his current situation as Hurricane Harvey, the most powerful storm to hit the state 50 years, continues to flood the streets and cut the power for 230,000 residents.
In an interview with Unang Balita, Neil Reyes and his family retreated indoors and prepared for an incoming huge flood in the city. He said the hurricane’s winds were not as powerful in their area compared in the northwest area but the constant rain kept their roads flooded like a sea.
“Ready na po kami sa susunod na heavy rain ulit. Pangalawang baha na ho ‘to. Uulan daw ho bukas, mamayang gabi, tsaka bukas po,” Reyes said.
“Ang mga pamilya okay naman po kasi malapit po sila. ‘Yung area po na malayo, ‘yun po ‘yung mga talagang natamaan po ng seryoso, mga northwest po ata natamaan eh,” he added.
The highway near Reyes’ residence is currently under 16 feet of floodwater due to Harvey’s heavy rain. Currently, the level of the floodwater is drained enough for the residents to prepare for the next onslaught of heavy rains.
Filipinos in Houston extended their help through posting helplines for police, evacuations, shelter locations, and dry and cooked food provisions by Desi teams on Facebook. Pinoy Houston TV posted the hotline of Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Adel Cruz for Filipinos seeking help amidst the calamity.
GMA News has reported that none of 70,000 Filipinos based in Houston were injured in Hurricane Harvey.
Hurricane Harvey landed in Texas on Friday and stayed in Houston, causing huge floods, cut-off power lines, destroyed homes. Two people were reported dead because of the storm.
Photo credit: Business Insider
