National News

Houston impacted heavily by severe flooding

By Shareefah Muhammad | Last updated: Apr 27, 2016 - 12:30:49 PM

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Residents of the Arbor Court apartments evacuate their flooded apartment complex in the Greenspoint area on April 18, in Houston.
HOUSTON—Recovery efforts are continuing in Houston in the fallout from heavy rain that caused devastating flooding in areas of the city. According to media reports, 240 billion gallons of water fell in the Houston area alone, flooding nearly 1,000 homes, causing an estimated $5 billion in damages for the city (Harris County) and resulting in eight confirmed deaths. At Final Call presstime, more rain was forecasted. Rain dumped as much as 18 inches of rain in a 24 hour period that tapered off April 18. 
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Deric Muhammad with hip hop artist Bun B.

The length of time it will take to clean up from this catastrophe is going to take a while, say experts.

Some of the hardest hit areas included Greenspoint (northwest Houston) and Meyerland (a part of southwest Houston). Many residents in the northwest area had to be evacuated and rescued the day after the first round of rain. Due to slow response from the city of Houston, many began using whatever household items they could—from refrigerators to empty plastic containers—to get to a place of safety as they witnessed everything they owned being destroyed by the ever rising waters.

According to AccuWeather.com More than 1,200 high-water rescues were performed from April 17 and April 18 and the city opened several emergency shelters throughout the region.

In parts of western Harris County, more than 14 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours, and parts of downtown Houston, received nearly six inches of rain the site reported.

A state of disaster declaration or nine counties was issued April 18 by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Volunteer efforts have come from various groups.

Pastor Jamail Johnson of  The Word Church and Muslims from the Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque No. 45, began helping and assisting people immediately.

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Student Min. Robert Muhammad (right) of Muhammad Mosque No. 45.
Less than 24 hours after the downpour, The Word Church opened its doors as a Disaster Relief Site to receive donations for flood victims. Deric Muhammad, Jesse Muhammad and some of the men and women of the Nation of Islam mosque assisted in coordinating efforts.

Deric Muhammad helped set up a drop-off spot with the Forward Times (a local Black owned newspaper) on the South Side of the city to combine with what was brought directly to The Word Church. Jesse Muhammad ensured massive social media coverage was handled to increase support locally and nationally to spread the word on what supplies and items people still need. Artist and entertainer, Bun B, was out in the community assisting people as well. 

“This flood amounted to what I call a ‘Baby Katrina,’” said longtime Houston activist Deric Muhammad.  “Being on the ground with our people and personally witnessing their pain after having lost everything was hurtful. I held a three week old baby whose mother had nowhere to go after her apartment flooded. However, every adversity is also an opportunity. In this case it was an opportunity to serve,” he said.

Deric Muhammad said mobilizing the community began immediately to people with their immediate needs. They did not focus on what the government failed to do but on the energy on doing what had to be done for themselves and others.

“Our people are devastated by this crisis, but the outpouring of support has been a lift to their spirits. We have literally collected thousands of items to donate. Our goal is for the disaffected to come out of this crisis in a better condition than they were in before the flood. We will press forward with our efforts until we achieve that end,” he added.

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Community groups are working together and donating items.
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Volunteer brings water to assist residents.

Road building and development patterns contributed to flooding, explained student Minister Robert Muhammad, Southwest Regional Representative of the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Student Minister Robert Muhammad recently completed his doctoral studies and has a background in urban planning and explained that wetlands and prairies can’t be filled in or with impervious surfaces and not expect the region’s watershed to be ill-affected. “The Houston area is on or below sea level; built on a system of miniature rivers called bayous that drain into the Gulf of Mexico,” he said.  

“The influence of the building industry is so strong in Texas, that once this episode subsides, they will go back to business as usual. If they do such this time, the Gulf Coast region can expect what the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad warned of in The Fall of America, the worst is yet to come,” he said referring to the monumental book written by the Nation of Islam patriarch.

Mr. Muhammad repeatedly taught that Black people must be properly prepared for natural disasters.

His National Representative, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has repeatedly warned to, “watch the weather,” and that Allah (God) would continue to use the forces of nature to punish America for her continued wickedness and mistreatment toward the Black and Indigenous people.

“The Honorable Elijah Muhammad 50 years ago told us that this persecution would get worse and worse and the plight of our people and our cry for justice would fall on deaf ears and this would force our people to think of that which God wants and that is to separate us from our enemies and to plant us in a land of our own. Because He has purposed to make a great nation out of us as the cornerstone of the Kingdom of God,” the Minister warned earlier this year.

“This is what we are facing in 2016: Worse weather, worse treatment worse weather, more killing, worse weather, more injustice. This is a whipping that will force us to bow down to the Will of God,” he added. 

(Ebony Safiyyah Muhammad and Final Call staff contributed to this report)