More than 40 inches of rain fell in various parts of Houston, a mere two years since the "1,000 year storm" that was Harvey. But climate change remains unproven, so I'm sure it won't happen again. Several bayous overflowed and streets became raging torrents, with flash flood warnings and 10,000 without power. All schools and offices were shut on Friday.
Thankfully we were mostly unaffected, with our neighbourhood sitting higher than most, but after the three days of downpour we went for a cycle ride to Buffalo Bayou to see how everything looked. Several roads remained closed - Houston highways are built below ground level to channel water away during events like this. Which is great, unless you're a motorist trying to get home.
The Bayou was still flowing well beyond its banks, and everything had a nice slick covering of mud. But at least the sun was shining and no more rain is expected. By this time Imelda had been downgraded from a tropical storm to a slow-moving depression. Arriving like a storm and leaving as a depression: the story of my life.
Urban cycle paths aren't meant to be this muddy.
There's usually a park here.
End of the trail.
Glorious mud. The smell wasn't good either.
Checking the map to see where we are.
The Bayou flowing into downtown, figuratively and literally.
