abc13 tours flooded roads with FBCSO

FORT BEND (KTRK) -- For many people, the daily commute time has doubled or tripled in Fort Bend County because of the flooded roads and waterways. The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office says there are literally hundreds of road closures through out the county.

"Roads are closing without us even knowing it because of water rising," Major Chad Norvell said.

Hundreds of high water spots changing by the hour are creating a maze of detours for drivers.

"I'm having to make the circle around which is about a 15 mile round trip out of the way," Business owner Sean Mehebbi said,

Mehebbi had to race to get sales from his online shoe business out on time.

"So I have 65 packages here, and I'm having to take them to the postoffice myself," he said.

And the situation isn't any better for the people off of FM 723, where the road is shut down for miles, and a four-wheeler our a kayak seems to be the only way to go.

"It's the easiest way to get in and out, it's the only way to get in and out," driver Kyle Wienserski.

FM 723 is one of the major roads between the Katy area and Rosenberg, and the water covering this road may not recede until after the weekend.

The widespread flooding lured drone pilot Daniel Pawlowski of Up in the Air Films came out to give law enforcement a birdseye view of the flooded roads.

"Being able to see water and a road perspective from the air is huge," Pawlowski said.

He shares the footage with deputies to help manage road closures.

"It's literally very fluid for us, we try to keep up with it, but we can't have deputies everywhere," Major Chad Norvell said.

For the people trapped in some neighborhoods - like Kingdom Heights -- there's no choice but to stay put.

16:22 - (KW) these people we see here walking around, they are trapped on the other side of this water. They are probably just exploring and sightseeing // BUTT TO // 16:37 - no way in, no way out, unless they are swimming.

And even though the flooding situation is constantly changing, the safety message from deputies remains the same.

"In the past, people drive around barricades, it could cost them their life by doing that," Major Norvell said.