Rain in Houston area floods neighborhoods, closes schools, cancels flights

HOUSTON — Storms have dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of neighborhoods and forcing the closure of city offices and the suspension of public transit.

The National Weather Service says the area received up to 16 inches of rain in the 24 hours through Monday morning.

More than 470 flights have been canceled in Houston. George Bush Intercontinental Airport officials have reported at least 335 cancellations Monday. More than 135 flights have been canceled at William P. Hobby Airport.

A Houston Airport System statement says some roads are flooded near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, in the north of the state’s largest city.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Houston area through Tuesday morning.

Mayor Sylvester Turner says city offices will be closed Monday and is encouraging people to stay home and avoid high water areas. Classes have been canceled for the Houston Independent School District’s 215,000 students.

Meteorologist Tom Bradshaw says about 70 Houston subdivisions are flooded, as well as parts of Interstate 10.

Flash flood watches also have been issued through Tuesday morning for Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler-Longview and as far east as Texarkana.