HOUSTON (KIAH) – A man was saved live on camera Monday morning from a severely flooded Houston highway during Hurricane Beryl, which has since weakened to a tropical depression.
As the scene unfolded, it could be seen on Houston Transtar traffic cameras along 288 at 610 South Loop around 10 a.m. (CST). High water rescue units with the Houston Fire Department arrived quickly on scene and extended a ladder over the severely flooded highway as high winds kept pushing through the area.
The man at one point stood in the bed of his truck. Water continued to rise and after several minutes, he moved to the roof of his flooded truck where he waited for a lifeline to be extended. Once they extended the safety vest attached to the lifesaver ring, he put on the vest then the safety ring. The man trapped on top of his vehicle waited patiently for the ladder to be extended.
A rescuer dropped a rope with water safety rescue devices attached. He put them on and was pulled to safety. Once he was out the water, he was check out by EMS and taken by ambulance for further evaluation. He’s expected to be alright.
The rescue took more than 30 minutes to complete. Still, the quick action by the high level rescue units helped save the man’s life and local officials are commending their continuous efforts.
“I want to commend the Houston Fire Department for saving a man’s life today as he was stranded on 288”, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said. The mayor also said at least two bayous including White Oak Bayou is out of its bank. Traffic lights were also knocked out in most areas throughout the city.
Heavy rains from Beryl caused severe flooding in the area near 610 South Loop, trapping the man in his vehicle. No official word on where the man was going, but severe winds and flooding have caused many disruptions throughout the city.
“Our resources are committed to high water response,” chief Samuel Pena said at a news conference soon after the man was rescued. He emphasized not driving on any roadways, especially flooded roadways. “It doesn’t take long for a vehicle’s electrical system to be overtaken by flood waters.”
As heavy rain continues to fill the city, the highway where this man was rescued from is prone to flooding because that’s what this particular highway was built for – to prevent flood waters from inundating surrounding areas and to capture flood waters.
