Southwest Airlines reportedly airlifted several hundred people stranded at Houston Hobby Airport on Sunday evening, despite the airport's closure to commercial operations earlier in the day.
First reported by CNN, the rescue flights were undertaken with full knowledge of airport officials and the FAA.
Southwest Airlines has confirmed the operation in its online press room.
[CALLOUT]
"Southwest is operating rescue flights from HOU to move customers and employees who have not been able to leave the airport," read a statement from the airline.
The airline reportedly filled and flew five 737s from Houston Hobby to Love Field in Dallas according to CNN aviation editor Jon Ostrower.
Earlier in the day, the runways, as well as all roads leading in and out of Houston Hobby, were flooded after tropical storm Harvey pounded the area. Because the waters rose so rapidly, some 400 people were trapped inside the airport with no way to leave.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Catastrophic Flooding as Harvey Closes Houston Airports[/READMORE]
ABC News reports that the water on the runway had subsided enough by Sunday afternoon for Southwest to seek permission from the FAA to operate the rescue mission. The flights carried nearly 500 people, including passengers and Southwest employees. They will be accommodated in Dallas area hotels until they can be rebooked.
ABC also reports that as of Sunday afternoon there were just 25 people remaining inside of Houston Hobby, including 17 Houston area residents.
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Hobby is expected to remain closed until at least Wednesday, August 30. Southwest has confirmed, via Twitter, that all commercial flights into and out of Hobby have been canceled for Monday and Tuesday.
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