Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
High risk of tropical development off US Atlantic coast. Get details Chevron right
Storms to spark on July 4th in parts of the Plains and Southeast. Click here Chevron right

Columbus, OH

80°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

80°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

Texas shelter reunites owners with pets following Imelda's devastating flooding

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Sep 26, 2019 6:25 PM EDT

Copied

Officials with Beaumont Animal Care, based in Beaumont, Texas, spoke with AccuWeather this morning to discuss reunion efforts now that pet owners are returning home. As the floodwaters of Imelda started rising, some pets were left behind as people were forced to leave in a hurry. Many of the rescued animals are being cared for by Beaumont Animal Care.

Following Imelda's severe flooding in southeastern Texas, hundreds of animals remain without a home -- and shelters have been working around the clock to reunite pet owners with their beloved furry family members.

During Imelda's flooding, some people left behind their pets as they were forced to leave in a hurry -- something that experts at animal shelters discourage. In other cases, severe weather, like the conditions unleashed during Imelda, can blast open gates, blow over fences and make lots of noise, which can spook animals and make them run away despite owner's best efforts to get them to safety.

Beaumont Animal Care worked around the clock to rescue animals following Imelda's flooding rainfall, according to the organization's Facebook page on Sept. 21, 2019. (Facebook / Beaumont Animal Care)

The AccuWeather network spoke with Beaumont Animal Care, based in Beaumont, Texas, about ongoing pet reunion efforts following the storm.

"Beaumont Animal Care would like everyone affected by TS Imelda to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them during this trying time. The community came together and got through Harvey and we will get through Imelda," Beaumont Animal Care said in a Sept. 21 Facebook post.

"Our officers have been out in the field rescuing animals that have been stranded in the rising flood waters, wading through waist-deep water and wrangling snakes to get to them," the Facebook post stated.

Viviana Lopez, adoption and social media coordinator for Beaumont Animal Care, told AccuWeather that calls started to come in when the rain slowed down from Imelda.

"Since Friday the 20th we've been picking up animals. We had about 44 come in so far," Lopez said.

Many of the rescued animals are being cared for by Beaumont Animal Care. Lopez said multiple pets have been reunited with their owners, but there are still many animals left without their family.

"We always want to help reunite pets with their families, we don't want them to stay here. We want them to get reunited as soon as possible. They can check our Facebook, we have an album for all of our Imelda pets," Lopez said.

Tropical Storm Imelda Pets
Twitter

"On Tuesday was the first day we reopened the shelter to the public, so we've had a lot of people come in to search for their missing pets. We've had about 10 animals reclaimed so far," Lopez said.

To prepare before a storm, Lopez said it is a great idea for pet owners to have pictures that are up to date, so they are able to track down their pet and verify it is theirs.

"Microchip is always another thing we suggest for pet owners its a great way for you to insure your pet is getting back to you since most vet clinics and animal shelters will scan for a microchip," Lopez said.

If you are trying to find your pet, Lopez said you can give the shelter a call.

Lopez stressed to pet owners to make sure they always keep their pets secure and do not leave them behind.

"If you can take them, take them with you," Lopez said.

Related:

How to stay safe if you encounter wildlife after a flood
How to ensure the safety of family pets during a hurricane
Why you should evacuate ahead of a hurricane

Other organizations have been helping to ensure that animals rescued during Imelda receive proper care.

"We are fortunate enough to have the humane society and air transport help us take 125 of our animals to the humane society in Tulsa so that we could make more space for animals impacted from Imelda. So we are just glad that we've been able to receive the help and support we have," Lopez said.

Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

Weather News

Passenger ferry sinks off Bali killing 5 people, 29 unaccounted for

Jul. 3, 2025
video

Bomb cyclone slams Australia with heavy rain and intense winds

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Storms to spark on July 4th in parts of the Plains and Southeast

7 hours ago

Weather News

Madre Fire grows to 52,000 acres, now California’s largest wildfire of...

2 hours ago

Hurricane

High risk for tropical development off US Atlantic coast

2 hours ago

Travel

Passengers scramble out of plane in St. Louis after report of smoke

13 hours ago

Weather News

Alabama teen struck by lightning while using phone during storm

10 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

1 day ago

Weather News

Endangered turtles share this Mexican beach with SpaceX rocket debris

1 day ago

Travel

Fourth of July gas hasn’t been this cheap since 2021

2 days ago

Weather News

What makes fireworks burst with vibrant colors?

1 week ago

Health

There is no safe amount of processed meat to eat, new research shows

13 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News Texas shelter reunites owners with pets following Imelda's devastating flooding
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...