A Houston storeowner whose shop was flooded in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is now grappling with a manmade disaster: looters.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning during a city-wide curfew, thieves smashed in a window at Abdul Ali鈥檚 shop and snuck inside, raiding the aisles for anything they could find.
The looters made off with $20,000 worth of merchandise, including laptops. Ali, a father of six who has lived in Houston for 22 years, says his insurance won鈥檛 be able to cover both the flooding damage and the theft.
鈥淭he flood was miserable, and the looting at the same time -- two in one,鈥� Ali told CTV鈥檚 Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme.
And with the flood knocking out the security cameras, the only evidence of the crime is the ravaged shop, where much of the remaining merchandise floats in the waterlogged aisles.
Two other shops in the same strip mall were looted, including a liquor store and a grocery store.
Ali is upset but says the looters will face consequences, one way or another.
鈥淚f they鈥檙e not going to pay in the world, they鈥檙e going to have to pay up front to God,鈥� he said.
There have been numerous reports of looting across Houston, prompting the mayor to impose a curfew. Houston鈥檚 police chief said anyone caught outside after midnight would be arrested.
Twelve minutes away from Ali鈥檚 looted store, over 200 people lined up outside a Walmart for more than two hours Wednesday for the chance to buy food. It was the first opportunity for many to restock their fridges.
For those waiting in line, the orderly queue represented more than a need for food and water.
鈥淚t shows our humanity and our patience,鈥� said one woman in line. 鈥淵ou have to be patient at a time like this.鈥�
Among the group was Rosa Rodriguez, who planned to buy groceries and donate them to those in need.
鈥淵ou feel almost survivor鈥檚 guilt because some people lost everything,鈥� Rodriguez said.
The only thing she plans to keep from the shop is a birthday cake for her son, who turned 10 the day after the storm hit.
The birthday was fun, the boy said, but he expects to have 鈥渁 better one in the future.鈥�
With a report from 麻豆传媒 Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme
