a deepening humanitarian crisis in houston and throughout southeast texas amid the historic flooding, victims are fleeing the shelters, convention halls, church, even a bowling alley and a furniture story now house flood victims. >> they say water was rising. time to go. so that's what we did. >> reporter: the destruction is spreading beyond houston. beaumont and port arthur, texas got pummelled with 26 inches of rain in 24 hours. the mayor of port arthur says his whole city is now under water. this shelter flooding overnight, compounding the misery for people already forced from their homes. >> this is going to be an incredibly large disaster for the country. >> reporter: multiple agencies are still making rescue after rescue, while many more are still waiting for help. emergency crews race against time to reach those trapped in their homes. how long were you in there? >> three days. >> reporter: amid the devastation, extraordinary acts