HOUSTON - As torrential rains continue to pour down on the saturated Houston area, authorities are scrambling to rescue hundreds of residents stranded in their homes, on rooftops, and on flooded roads. The National Weather Service predicts that the situation may worsen with more storms expected to bring heavy downpours throughout the day.

According to meteorologist Hayley Adams, areas near Lake Livingston have already received a staggering 20 inches of rain in the past week, while northeastern Harris County, which includes Houston, has recorded up to 12 inches during the same period. The storms anticipated on Sunday could bring an additional 3 inches of rainfall, and in some areas, up to 8 inches.

Residents are growing increasingly concerned about rising water levels. Miguel Flores Jr., a resident of the Kingwood neighborhood, expressed uncertainty about how much worse the situation could get. He stated, "We don't know how much more. We're just preparing for the worst."

Despite the deluge, no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. However, flooded areas stretching from Houston to rural East Texas are in dire straits. Urgent evacuation orders have been issued to residents in low-lying areas, with officials warning that the worst might still be on the horizon.

Greg Moss, a resident of Channelview, had the foresight to evacuate before his road became submerged. Over the weekend, he relocated his belongings and sought refuge at a neighbor's home. Moss, confident that his residence is situated on higher ground, remains hopeful that his home will not succumb to the flooding.

Houston, known for its susceptibility to flooding, has dealt with catastrophic weather events in the past. The devastating Hurricane Harvey in 2017 resulted in historic rainfall, inundating countless homes and necessitating over 60,000 rescues across Harris County.

Covering an expansive area of about 10,000 square miles, the greater Houston region is crisscrossed by approximately 1,700 miles of channels, creeks, and bayous that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. While originally designed to manage heavy rains, the city's outdated infrastructure struggles to cope with its growing population and increasingly severe storms.

As the rain is expected to taper off by the evening, Houston residents must brace themselves for a new challenge - scorching heat and high humidity. With moisture lingering from the recent downpours and temperatures soaring above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, meteorologist Hayley Adams warns that heat index values could reach triple digits this week. She advises residents to be mindful of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stress.

As Houston continues to grapple with the ongoing flooding crisis, residents remain resilient, determined to weather the storm and rebuild their lives once the waters recede.