HOUSTON – Traveling around Houston during and after severe storms was treacherous in many areas Monday.
The main lanes of state Highway 288 near Holly Hall were impassible by 10 a.m. and drivers tried to turn around in the median, but they did not get very far because the other side of the road was also flooded.
Thousands of drivers use the freeway every day to get to the Texas Medical Center and downtown Houston.
"I've been doing this for 15 years," driver Susan Deiterich said. "I've never had this problem before."
One driver said she could not see the floodwater until she was in it and the water was up to her knees inside her vehicle.
Most drivers who travel on the freeway regularly know it is prone to flooding. The Texas Department of Transportation has 19 pumps installed in the area, but since about 5 inches of rain fell in less than two hours, the storm drains filled up too quickly.
"I didn't see it coming," driver Daniel Timme said.
It took about five hours for the water to recede enough to reopen the freeway about 3 p.m., but traffic was still slow in the area.
Officials recommend drivers stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
"It only takes about 6 inches (of water) to knock a person over," said Michael Walter of the Houston Office of Emergency Management. "It only takes about 2 feet of water to wash away an SUV."
Firefighters have had to rescue several people from flooded vehicles.
"If you see water in front of you, just avoid it," Walter said. "Go a different way. The big thing is turn around, don't drown."
High water was reported on freeways and feeder roads across the city. Some drivers were seen going the wrong way on feeder roads to flee the flooding.
Dozens of vehicles were trapped in water across the city. Some vehicles in the area of Bellfort and the Southwest Freeway were completely submerged.
Many drivers sought refuge in medians and at businesses along feeder roads.
Some drivers got stuck in parking garages in the Texas Medical Center. Four of its flood gates were closed to prevent damage to hospitals.
"We've been here about an hour or two," driver Randy Randolph said. "We're just kind of stuck here."
Texas Medical Center officials said people can get out of the garages when the flood gates are closed, but they have to leave their cars behind.