Houston Bush airport reopens after Imelda forces closure

Police block Monroe Road near Hobby Airport after rain spawned by Tropical Storm Imelda, which dropped to a tropical depression overnight, caused flooding on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Houston. Police block Monroe Road near Hobby Airport after rain spawned by Tropical Storm Imelda, which dropped to a tropical depression overnight, caused flooding on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Houston. Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 110 Caption Close Houston Bush airport reopens after Imelda forces closure 1 / 110 Back to Gallery

George Bush Intercontinental Airport reopened Friday morning after being closed for hours as the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda pummeled the Houston area Thursday.

The airport reopened as of 4 a.m. for both departing and arriving flights. The airport had planned to reopen at 1:30 p.m.

Officials with Bush Intercontinental grounded planes around 10 a.m. Thursday, as the remnants of the storm dropped several inches of rain in some parts.

IMELDA'S WRATH: 2 deaths linked to Imelda as hundreds flooded throughout Southeast Texas

A tweet from Houston Bush Airport stated, "FAA is not allowing flight to land at IAH until tomorrow."

A spokesman for the airport has not responded to a request for comment, but officials said on Twitter roads approaching the airport were flooded.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Imelda saves worst for areas east of Houston

Around 3 p.m., the airport tweeted, "One lane open inbound and outbound JFK. Will Clayton is still flooded east of Lee Rd."

No parking lots at the airport appeared to be affected by the storm, officials said.

Michelle Iracheta is a digital reporter in Houston. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | michelle.iracheta@chron.com