Dr. Carey Watson woke to the sound of water bubbling through the air conditioning vents of his Texas home.
Watson and his wife gathered together their four children and pets and evacuated their home Sunday morning.
"We brought some water, canned foods, we grabbed diapers for the kids … a backpack full of stuffed animals. That's what we got before we left,” Watson said.
The remnants of Hurricane Harveysent devastating floodspouring into the nation’s fourth-largest city Sunday as rising water chased thousands of people to rooftops or higher ground and overwhelmed rescuers who could not keep up with the constant calls for help.
Watson, a former Anderson Township resident, said he’s thankful his family is safe. Their neighbors took them in until the water subsides.
Despite leaving his home, Watson said he is determined to help his community.
"I work at the Medical Center and will probably try to stay and work and help if needed, and send the family on if needed,” he said.
RELATED: How you can help Hurricane Harvey victims
Melissa Snyder met the Watson's seven years ago at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church. She started a GoFundMe page to help the family rebuild.
"It was a Sunday, so we came to church, and everyone at church pulled together and we talked about what we could do. We decided to do the GoFundMe,” Snyder said.
Within hours, the community came through. The campaign has raised almost $8,000 for the family as of Sunday night.
"I'm not one bit surprised because the Watson's would give you the shirt off your back. They're the nicest people. They're giving,” she said.
Another former Greater Cincinnati resident is unable to return to her home in Houston.
Megan O’Leary, an Indian Hill graduate, said she and her husband can’t return to their apartment in Houston due to delayed flights.
They don’t know the extent of the damage yet, but O’Leary said their friends might have moved their cars to higher ground.
“We had to overnight my husband's car keys to our friends in Houston so they can move our cars,” she said. “We expect our normal parking spot to be flooded."
WCPO - 9 On Your Side is hosting a phone bank to benefit victims of Tropical Storm Harvey. Phone lines will be open for “Taking Action for Texas” Monday from 4-8 p.m. This is part of a company-wide effort by Scripps to provide relief for those affected by the unprecedented flooding in Texas. Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross and its effort to help the flood victims. To donate, call 513-749-9400.
To donate right now, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Click here for more information about how you can help Hurricane Harvey victims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
