In most disasters, even devastating ones, the damage can be random. One house demolished, the neighbor fine. Remember, in Katrina, the French Quarter came through pretty much unscathed.
But Houston? This is a horse of another color. The sheer volume of rain, combined with the fact water seeks its own level, means the damage will be widespread. This is a disaster unprecedented in American history.
Plus Pearland has had a history of flooding.I don't know what we can do to help his family, but I am sure they're going to need it.