Chad Pradelli in Texas amid flooding crisis
HOUSTON (WPVI) -- Action News reporter Chad Pradelli is in the Houston, Texas area amid the flooding crisis in the aftermath of Harvey.
The floodwaters had continued to recede on Wednesday evening, and some residents were taking stock of the damage and cleaning up.
Chad caught up with Poppy Elliott, who was grateful for the help of some Boy Scouts, who helped her remove the soggy carpet.
The drywall is being ripped out, carpet lifted, and belongings trashed in the Bel Air neighborhood within Houston. These homeowners can call themselves among the fortunate, the water has receded out of their homes. Their flooding is considered relatively minor at 6-10 inches.
"I am numb still. When I get up in the morning, I don't even know what to do, where to start," Poppy Elliott said.
Elliott lives alone. The cleanup for her would be arduous. But she has help from a group of teens - Boy Scout Troop 222. They have been helping victims in this neighborhood all day.
Miles Palke of Boy Scout Troop 222 said, "It is part of the scout law and the scout oath that we have to be helpful to others. It's one of the things we are obligated to do It's the right thing to do."
The cleanup is just beginning, but the mourning of those who perished in the floodwaters is well underway. The anguish will intensify as the casualties grow.
We ran into one officer who is coping with the death of his friend and fellow officer, Steve Perez. The 34-year-veteran's car sank after he made a wrong turn and got trapped. His last words to his wife, "I've got work to do."
Officer Joe Mireles of Houston Police said, "Twenty years we worked together, traffic division. Yeah he is one of the best officers I've ever worked with a heart of gold, hard worker."
Earlier Wednesday, Chad was along flooded Interstate 10 in Crosby. There was evidence there that some water had receded, but plenty of water remained.
Chad was also in Crosby on Tuesday night, where evacuees were being sheltered at the local middle school. Some 600 people were sent there due to both the flood and explosion fears at a nearby plant.
By late Tuesday night they had begun to board buses to be taken to NRG Park, the home of the Houston Texans, which was established as another 'mega-shelter.'
Earlier in the day, Action News was at an area being called 'Rescue Row.' It's an area where many boats are being launched for the search and rescue operations.
One rescuer came back to shore holding a puppy.
"In the neighborhood there was nobody there, and this was the only thing we were able to save," she said.
Nearby was a family who had just been rescued from the floodwaters a short time before.
Waist-deep water was flowing on the other side of concrete barriers. Action News was there as large trucks were deployed to help in the effort.
We also talked to Veronica Pate. She was in tears, worried about her mother who was trapped in a trailer park.
"She's been there the whole storm, she's been without lights since yesterday," Veronica said, noting she had talked to her mom just 30 minutes before.
When we asked what her mom had been saying, Veronica said, "For me not to come get her. But I've got to get my mom."
Complete coverage of Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath
For information on how you can help the victims of Harvey, visit this link here on 6abc.com.
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