The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water Monday from two Houston dams to help prevent uncontrolled flooding, but the move could impact thousands of homes.
Shortly after midnight, the Corps of Engineers began the controlled release of water from the rain-swollen Addicks and Barker reservoirs.
The goal is to prevent the dams from breaking, but homes along downstream bayous could receive even more water as a result.
"There's not any way to escape that," said Ken Coons, who lives along the Buffalo Bayou. "But the consequences are severe for the people along Buffalo Bayou."
The Buffalo Bayou was already over its banks when the release began. Residents in the Walnut Bend neighborhood jumped into rafts and canoes, going to homes that were flooded to see if anyone needed to evacuate.
"I've got the Buffalo Bayou running through my living room," said Dale Dentler, one of several volunteers jumping in canoes to help other flood victims. "Well, you have to. That's just what we do here. All the problems go away and everybody has the same problem."
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The reservoir release is expected to last between one and three months.
