I used to live in Houston and have been talking to buddies down there almost constantly. From what they are telling me, a guy coming down with a bass boat would probably create way more problems than they would solve. The first challenge would be actually getting to the city. From there, you'd have to know where there was a need. Then you'd have to figure out how to get there with so many roads impassable. Then you'd have to launch your boat without also launching your truck. Then you'd have to figure out how to get to the person without dropping your lower unit on a fire hydrant or hood of someone's car.

The destruction to property here is absolutely enormous, but the risk to peoples lives is actually pretty low at the moment. I'm sure there are some folks in great need, but for the majority, all you'd really be saving them from is the boredom of being stuck on the second floor of their house. That could change as time goes on though. Will have to watch this one closely.

Ya getting to where a boat is needed is the issues. it's not like the highway just drops off into the only neighborhood needing rescue. It's the interior parts of the city that have multiple flooded roads miles before you get to it.

I'm in the middle of it.....Can maybe get to my storage, but with my 2wd truck probably can't get somewhere I can launch a midvee.....Have already seen on the news larger (deeper draft) boats like mine not working.....

Thanks for the info. You may have talked me out of doing something stupid with mine. It holds 63 gallons of fuel but I don't know the area well enough to navigate the many streets. I want to help, but not already in the middle of it, may be futile coming from DFW for me.

I saw a non flat bottom boat this morning that was stuck and it appeared they spent hours messing with it. It was right where everyone was launching. It wasn't any type of fishing boat.

There is still an extreme need for help. Metal boats or other very shallow drafting boats. Media and officials are down playing this - there are still a massive amount of people in need of rescue. If you're going download the Zello app and find one of the channels - Texas Search and Rescue, Spring Savers, Houston Harvey, etc. People in dire need of help - ain't getting any better. Spring and Cypress need help badly as well has NE Houston.

Also areas outside of Houston need help - hearing help needed in Cleveland and all out in that area.

Just did a recon in my truck and could only make it around in about a 5 sm radious or so....The house is now about 5 blocks from the evacuation area for Addicks Barker. Bear creek is about to come over Clay road any minute. Neighborhoods south of Clay already have about 2-3 ft of water and it will only get worse. May need my boat for us soon....

Air boats and small jet drives is the way to go in the Houston situation.

I saw a bass boat on the news rescuing people going down the street that had an outboard and a small airboat fan mounted above it. Looked like he was useing the outboard? Couldn't really tell. The camera man was on a bridge and had the camera panned way out. I have never seen a boat like that. Bad bad situation. Praying for the best possible outcome.

Saw someone launch a Party barge but had load it back up. Water too shallow

If I didn't sell my old Nitro a few weeks ago, I'd be there. It was already beat to hell and back.

If someone is going, that has a boat suitable for the situation, I would definitely like to volunteer to go along and help out.

My dad left today in our duck boat.

Any inside info appreciated when people get in there. Probably heading to San Antone Thursday to pick up my aluminum boat and heading out from there pending on needs and updates.

I had planned on heading out this morning after taking my daughter to her first day of school, but San Antonio news just said that I-10 is shut down in sealy, everyone is having to camp out on the highway, with nowhere to go.
The news anchor said that his friend was headed there with a boat, and while driving, got a call that there were plenty of boats doing rescues, so he should turn around.
I don't know what the truth is, but if 10 is shut down in sealy, I'm probably going to sit tight and help out in Cuero if the Guadalupe gets as high there as they are forecasting.

Unfortunately the places I think that need boats are difficult to get to if you don't have some sort of high profile vehicle or airboat. A Marsh buggy would be ideal and I'm surprised I haven't seen one being used yet. I know there's a place that rents them along i10 between Winnie and Beaumont.