A disaster declaration is in effect because of the flooding in and around Houston. Governor Greg Abbott sent out the order on Thursday affecting 13 counties, including Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, and Orange Counties. The governor says the area has seen severe property damage due to floods from Tropical Storm Imelda. The order means more state resources are available to the region. Weather officials in Texas are releasing preliminary rainfall amounts from Imelda. The National Weather Service in Houston says the highest amount so far is over 43-inches in Jefferson County, which would make the storm the 7th wettest tropical cyclone in U.S. history. Officials add it would be the 4th wettest tropical cyclone to impact the Lone Star State.
Photo: People walk the flooded waters Hopper Rd. in Houston. (Getty Images)