More than a foot of rain pounded much of Houston, Texas Monday as flash flooding forced evacuations and the closure of much of America’s fourth-largest city.
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At least five people were killed as a result of the flooding, and more rain is set to fall on the city a day after water levels approached nearly 20 inches in some areas.
Heavy flooding has become a nearly annual event in the practically sea-level city, where experts have long warned of the potential for catastrophe.
“I regret anyone whose home is flooded again,” said Sylvester Turner, the city’s mayor, on Monday. “There’s nothing I can say that’s going to ease your frustration. We certainly can’t control the weather.”
WATCH: Texas mayor urges residents to stay indoors following massive rains, flooding
“A lot of rain coming in a very short period of time, there’s nothing you can do,” he added.
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WATCH: Houston flood rescuers use boats to reach stranded victims
Photos show people walking in waist-level waters, carrying pets and personal belongings down flood-ravaged streets.
On Monday, more than 110,000 Houston-area homes and businesses lost power during the storm. Hundreds of flights were cancelled.
A local TV reporter came face-to-face with a trapped driver who drove head on into a heavily flooded roadway. Steve Campion, with KTRK-TV, helped the driver swim away from the vehicle, as the car was quickly submerged.
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WATCH: Houston reporter helps rescue man from flood on the air during live report
The National Weather Service said there was a 50 per cent chance of more rain Tuesday, and much of the area will remain under a flood watch until mid-week.
Residents flee their flooded apartment complex in a refrigerator on Monday, April 18, 2016 in The Woodlands, Texas.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP
Residents are helped into the back of a truck as they leave their apartment complex Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
A child is lifted from a boat after being rescued from an apartment Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Residents are helped to dry ground as they evacuate their apartment complex Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Residents are helped into a dump truck as they evacuate their apartment complex Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Abandoned vehicles sit in high water at an exit ramp off of I-45 Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/Pat Sullivan
Residents use an air mattress to float on floodwaters as they evacuate their apartment complex Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Felix Yanez, centre, helps Lucy Olvio, right, and Judy wade through floodwaters as they evacuate from their apartment complex Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
A resident carries her dog through floodwaters on Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
A resident looks out from the second floor as floodwaters surround his apartment complex Monday, April 18, 2016, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip