Cypress Creek, higher than ever before

Posted at 5:36 p.m.

The storms calmed for a few hours Saturday afternoon in Cypress and other areas northwest of Houston, which have been spared the worst of Harvey’s downpours yet still faced unprecedented flooding.

Residents waded into waisthigh water during the lull. Others paddled row boats to check on neighbors. Colonies of fire ants and trash floated past flooded homes and horse stables in the Grantwood neighborhood.

“I hope it stops rising soon,” said Christine Ocanas, after rowing in a raft with her three kids to a dry section of their street. “We’re already on an island over there. If we get another foot, I’m in trouble.”

As she spoke, nearby Cypress Creek continued to swell. Within two hours, it had risen another two feet, matching the record-setting height it reached during the Tax Day Flood of 2016. The National Weather Service predicted the creek would crest early Monday morning a full two feet higher than ever before, leaving open the possibility that homes that had never flooded could be inundated by sunrise.

Kristi Wheeler’s home had never taken on water in the five years she’s lived in Cypress, but she wasn’t taking any chances.

“I’m shoving stuff upstairs,” she said. “Family quilts, little antique pieces of furniture. Stuff that insurance companies can’t replace.”

As she spoke, a new band of storms had moved into the area, and rain began to fall.