Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Flood watches remained in effect Wednesday across southeastern Texas as Tropical Depression Imelda's heavy rain threatened to cause hazardous flooding and travel disruptions.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Imelda, which became a short-lived tropical storm on Tuesday before making landfall in Freeport, Texas, had produced over 22 inches of rain near the San Bernard Wildlife Reserve, while over 17 inches were reported in Freeport and Sargent, Texas.
AccuWeather meteorologists say an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 24 inches is possible into Friday.
While Imelda isn't expected to produce the historic flooding over the Houston area that Hurricane Harvey did in 2017, officials urged residents to take heed of Imelda's torrential rain.
As Imelda moved inland on Tuesday evening and Wednesday night, flooding fears prompted school districts throughout the region to cancel classes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The University of Houston and Texas Southern University delayed class start times until 10 a.m. while dozens of school districts cancelled plans on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Galveston School District also announced classes would be canceled Wednesday.
However, the Houston Independent School District said all schools and district offices would operate under normal schedules Wednesday, although after-school and athletic events would be postponed.
At Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, inbound flights have been delayed for 30 minutes at their origins due to low hanging clouds, according to flightaware.com.
In addition, officials in Houston are preparing for water rescue boats by getting high-water vehicles ready.
In a he said on Twitter. "Be careful driving and please pay attention to the weather reports. Be alert!"
While Imelda downgraded to a tropical depression on Tuesday night, the threat of flooding rainfall will continue through Wednesday and into Thursday, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Derek Witt.
What's left of Imelda will dissipate by Friday, but the threat of ongoing flooding will persist across eastern Texas through the weekend as rivers and streams continue to rise.