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School buses attempt to negotiate high water in the Houston area.

Houston Flooding

High water along Bear Creek

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HOUSTON — The Houston area was swamped with severe flooding Tuesday morning, forcing school districts to close and making for a treacherous commute.

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Waller counties, effective until 9:30 a.m.

Grimes, Waller and Washington counties were under a Flash Flood Warning until 8:30 a.m.

11 News Meteorologist David Paul said 9 to 13 inches of rain had fallen overnight in some parts of the Houston area. Paul said rainfall like that hadn’t been seen since Tropical Storm Allison.

“This water is going to take some time to drain down. There is no sense in you getting up and getting out,” Paul said.

Paul said by 8 a.m., most of the rain was out of the area. He said the flooded creeks and bayous would probably recede by Tuesday afternoon.

Flooding was particularly bad in the Bear Creek area.

The Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department asked residents there to evacuate if possible. Those who couldn’t get out were told to shelter in place.

A Metro bus was stuck in high water in the Sharpstown area. Firefighters were responding to multiple high water evacuation calls.

Officials said those stuck in high water should move to a high area and secure any personal belongings they might need.

Boat rescues were under way in Spring Branch, the Galleria and Bellaire.

KHOU-TV viewers reported seeing cars entirely submerged in water in the Bellaire area.

In response to the storms, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management was put at a Level 1 activation.