Houston experiencing worst flooding in its history

Tropical Storm Harvey has dumped at least a foot of rain in most parts of Houston, Texas, causing the worst flooding in the city's history.

"It's catastrophic, unprecedented, epic — whatever adjective you want to use," National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Blood told The Houston Chronicle. Harris County officials estimate that thousands of people have been rescued, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said 3,000 national and state guard members have been deployed to the state, including hundreds in Houston. The Houston Independent School District has canceled school for the entire week, and residents with boats are being asked to assist their neighbors who might be stranded in their homes.

On Saturday afternoon, Harvey was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, but rain is expected to continue through Thursday. The National Weather Service has the unconfirmed death toll from Harvey at five.

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