Heroes of Houston: Pictures of true Americanism

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, government officials predict that 30,000 people will be driven into shelters and 450,000 will need to seek disaster assistance.

Between Saturday and Sunday, more than two feet of rain fell on Houston. Homes are completely under water. Many have lost everything they have. And still, even more rain is coming.

"This is a landmark event for Texas," said FEMA Administrator Brock Long on Monday. "Texas has never seen an event like this."

Rescue operations are still under way. The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday that it is “conducting urban search and rescue in the city of Houston” alongside local police, fire, and other federal and state agencies.

But the great people of the United States of America didn’t wait for the government to help their countrymen in need.

A rescue on live TV. This guy doesn't appear to be a first responder...just a regular person, stepping in, and saving 3 people #HoustonFlood pic.twitter.com/9XOFjMztdL

— Ellison Barber (@ellisonbarber)

August 27, 2017

Even more awesome than the storm, and I mean awesome in the true sense of the word — awe-inspiring — are the noble and courageous acts of heroism by Americans in Houston, observed on social media over the weekend.

Dear God some people give me such hope:

REPORTER: What are you going to do?

HERO: I'm gonna save some lives.pic.twitter.com/Qj2nmvCD97

— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett)

August 27, 2017

There are heroes in Houston who need to be recognized, honored, and emulated.

The Cajun Navy is on its way to Houston to assist in Harvey search and rescue efforts. https://t.co/dGJYZqCG2P

— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) August 27, 2017

The Latest: Army Corps to open dams to stem Houston flooding; 800 to 1,200 needed rescue in Galveston County #Harvey https://t.co/8dUxYtkxUK

— Meg Kinnard (@MegKinnardAP) August 27, 2017

3 Young Men Have Been Rescuing People All Day In Houstonpic.twitter.com/7ffYdRPLTt

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 28, 2017

Neighbors used their personal boats to rescue an elderly woman in Friendswood, Texas. #TropicalStormHarvey pic.twitter.com/PEE3nPD5Au

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 28, 2017

There are heroes in our police forces.

Houston SWAT officer carries mother and her 13-month-old son to safety amid rising floodwaters from #Harvey https://t.co/eI8evMlYpg pic.twitter.com/FhonxXWRAQ

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 27, 2017

HCSO deputies are out in the Blackhorse subdivision still working high water rescues. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/gBFwSaoPjo

— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 27, 2017

A rescue worker carries two dogs to safety after evacuating their family from floodwaters in Houston, Texas. pic.twitter.com/dhoi5P7Ukq

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 27, 2017

From all over the country.

PHOTOS: Images show a team of NYPD and FDNY personnel preparing to assist in Harvey rescue efforts pic.twitter.com/AGiwFh0iwn

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 28, 2017

Helping those in need.

Rescue crews carry children to safety, including one in a wheelchair, amid catastrophic flooding in Houston, TX https://t.co/JZvofyG0Np pic.twitter.com/HGwdC0PgTb

— ABC News (@ABC) August 27, 2017

WATCH: U.S. Coast Guard footage shows crews performing rescue missions in the aftermath of Harvey pic.twitter.com/Jn1xlbZ5oI

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 28, 2017

Chief T and I in water with @HCSOTexas team assisting with rescue. He'd been stuck in 8' water since 2am. He was relieved. pic.twitter.com/eQ7pAMrCJx

— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 27, 2017

Reporters too.

A truly amazing moment on CNN ? https://t.co/roWhNDwJ85

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) August 27, 2017

Incredible, watch as @BrandiKHOU flags down a rescue boat on-air, saving this truck driver's life https://t.co/EVvNbdt13k pic.twitter.com/3mYi9McniB

— Hayley Jones (@meetmissjoness) August 27, 2017

Rescue efforts went well into the night and are still ongoing.

Another rescue taking place in Houston, Texas. It's frightening out here in the dark with all this water. Live coverage on #ABC13. #hounews pic.twitter.com/loOJDsAfaV

— Steve Campion (@SteveABC13) August 28, 2017

#BREAKING - Houston firefighters performing rescue operations off the Gulf Freeway & Astoria Blvd. #ABC13 pic.twitter.com/j5lo04cLwh

— Steve Campion (@SteveABC13) August 28, 2017

Why did they do it?

This man leading a volunteer rescue crew in Houston: "It's just the way I was raised up. Everybody else comes before me." via @KPRC2 stream pic.twitter.com/735bh1ihIZ

— Joshua Chavers (@JoshuaChavers) August 27, 2017

Because this is America. These are Americans. And this is what Americans do when people need help.

Houston is the scene of more acts of service and heroism than we can count: https://t.co/bqMD6aQ7cb

— Matt Murray (@murraymatt) August 27, 2017

God bless the U.S.A.