tropical storm imelda

Allen Parkway transforms into rolling river in dramatic new video

Houston, Hurricane Harvey, flood photos, Allen Parkway

Allen Parkway was so flooded during Imelda (as it was during Hurricane Harvey, pictured here), a jet skier took to the water.

Courtesy photo

As the waters of Tropical Storm Imelda recede, Houstonians are left with staggering images of the devastation. Understandably, there were immediate comparisons to Harvey: many residents in Kingwood who had only just repaired Harvey ravaged homes are now dealing with Imelda’s wake.

At publishing time, at least two Houston-area residents have been lost. Also in the aftermath, news broke of two barges slamming into the I-10 bridge over the San Jacinto River, shutting down the freeway in both directions near Channelview.

The Inner Loop and Greater Houston saw streets flooded, thousands of cars stranded, and residents waiting for most of the day to simply get home. A wall at the Galleria collapsed. White Oak Bayou and Buffalo Bayou gorged with murky water.

Especially telling is video footage from CultureMap news partner ABC13, in which local resident Morteza Safataj captures drone footage of a jet-skier taking to Allen Parkway, which transformed into a river flowing up against overpasses.

The video also documents an all-too-familiar sight of submerged cars in brown water. Trees are barely visible, the green nearly topped off by the flooding.

And yet, in all the footage, Houstonians are seen biking, walking, and driving just feet from the flood. In what can be described as a consummately Houston moment, in the midst of a hellish storm, life, indeed, goes on.

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For continuing Imelda coverage, visit our content partner, ABC13.

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supporting future farmers

Next year's Houston Rodeo announces impressive scholarship commitment

Two children, a boy and girl, with their backs to the camera, walking along a dirt-lined arena at the rodeo

Courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

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The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced their educational commitment for 2025 this week, an impressive $28 million in scholarships, grants, and assistantships.

“As one of the core missions of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, being able to support Texas youth and education is one of our most prized achievements,” Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “It is because of our over 35,000 volunteers, donors, partners, sponsors, and Houston community who support our mission year-round that allow us to continue to grow the Rodeo’s charitable mission, allowing both the organization and Texas students to achieve the extraordinary.”

The Rodeo has handed out $632 million in educational aid since it was founded in 1932, making it one of Houston’s oldest and most generous benefactors for students. Winners of the various awards will be announced after the Rodeo kicks off on March 4, 2025.

Houston-area scholars will receive the largest chunk of the commitment, $14.7 million. These funds go to students who excel in Future Farmers of America, 4H, and other Rodeo-adjacent activities. Some 800 scholarships will be handed out in 2025, and they can be life-changing.

One person who can attest to that is Kenzie Scanlon, currently attending Texas A&M thanks to a Rodeo scholarship.

“The Rodeo’s education support has helped me more than words can describe,” she tells CultureMap. “This scholarship has enabled me to go to school debt free. $20,000 is a lot of money, and with the opportunity to apply for the scholar-specific Achievers’ Scholarship worth an additional $16,000, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has given me and so many other students the ability to continue our education at the university level. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to go this semester without the need to get a job to pay for outstanding loans. It has been such a blessing to be worry free about finances.”

In addition to scholarships, the Rodeo will hand out $9.7 million to junior show exhibitors. These can range up to $75,000 for some animals, making competition among showers very fierce. The remaining money goes to educational program grants to benefit school activities and assistantships for graduate students. All of it encourages students to pursue careers in the livestock industry.

“Participating in programs such as 4-H and FFA help students on more than just a financial level,” says Scanlon. “These programs help students develop responsibility, leadership, and a strong work ethic all while gaining crucial life skills like budgeting, public speaking, and problem solving. Organizations like this foster personal growth, build life-long connections, and provide opportunities for career exploration and involvement. Not only do they prepare you for real-life, but they allow students to discover new interests and make fun memories and life-long friends. Beyond scholarships, these programs equip students with valuable tools for success in life and future careers.”

rodeo houston livestock show and rodeo education