Storms cause damage in Webster area

WEBSTER, Texas – Many car and business owners were left to foot the bill for significant damages to their property after overnight storms hit the Webster area.

After the rain was over, some people were stranded for hours on the Gulf Freeway in Webster.

Motorist John Hewitt says he was stuck for more than 10 hours while waiting for the water to recede.

"Now I got a flat tries, so now I've got another problem on my hands," Hewitt said.

He wasn't alone.

Hung Mai spent hours on the phone with his insurance company after his car got stuck in the mud.

"Everybody tried to pass the section right here, to the freeway, I-45, and then we're stuck.  I'm the last one," he said.

Tow truck drivers stayed busy, and were cashing in with so many stalled cars to pull away.

"We don't get many days like this," Joseph Donaldson said.

Ground level residents at Green Oaks Apartments on Pineloch Drive also woke up to find their homes flooded by overnight rain. 

Resident Barbara Cribbs was at the Rockets game Tuesday night and when she tried getting home, the water was so high she had to turn around.  She ended up sleeping in her car with her two kids at a nearby gas station. 

She was finally able to get to her unit at around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning and when she opened the door everything was soaking wet. 

"I was horrified stepping into piles of water and realizing all of the furniture was a loss," Cribbs said.

Everything from her shoes to her precious sports memorabilia had damage from the heavy downpour.  "I just sat and cried," Cribbs said.  "There wasn't really anything else I could do."

The high water also flooded dozens of cars in the complex parking lot.  Resident Lori Berman spent the day trying to scoop the water out of her vehicle.  "I haven't even attempted to start it," Berman said.  "I don't want to cause further damage."

With more rain moving in Wednesday evening, residents were just hoping for the best.  "At this particular point there is nothing we can do except weather the storm," Cribbs said.

The Green Oaks Apartment complex sent a note to residents asking them to call the leasing office to coordinate cleanup efforts.  The Red Cross is also available for anyone who needs help.  Call (281) 282-6039.