Greg Abbott urged residents of coastal and low-lying areas to evacuate and head to higher ground. “Even if an evacuation order hasn’t been issued by your local official… you need to strongly consider evacuating," Abbott said Friday. As floodwaters rose, leaving residents trapped on upper floors or waving sheets from rooftops, Houston officials have been repeatedly forced to defend their decision, as critics questioned whether it was the right one. ("It was like we were yelling 'fire,' but all the doors were shut," one Houston city councilwoman said afterward.) “Who’s going to take care of them when they get there?”Paulison declined to comment on whether Houston officials had made the right choice.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 29, 2017 00:47 UTC