Port Arthur residents assess damage as storm slacks

Published 12:34 pm Wednesday, August 30, 2017

A slight break in the rain came around 10 a.m. Wednesday and people came outside to assess the damage. Many roads were flooded and impassible even to high vehicles.

U.S. Coast Guard helicopters were flying over the area throughout the night and into the day for water rescues.

Both of the large drainage ditches at 32nd Street near Lombardy breached and water and water spread across the road.

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During the night the shelter at the Bob Bowers Civic Center began to take on water and those who had evacuated there were transported to the Carl Parker Center on the Lamar State College campus, according to the City of Port Arthur Facebook page.

A Coast Guard chopper hovers in Port Arthur. (photo by Mary Meaux)

Dump trucks were brought in to get to neighborhoods where flooding was drastic and the city called for people with boats to help.

In addition, the city asked people needing rescuing to display a white towel, sheet, shirt or anything to let volunteer rescuers know there would be someone inside and in need of a rescue.

A home on 32 Street in Port Arthur. (photo by Mary Meaux)

The flood seemingly spared no one, as Port Arthur Mayor Derrick Freeman posted a video showing flooding in his home.

As of deadline, the full scope of the damages is still unclear.