Western Conference Finals Game 4: Rockets Get Home Safe Despite Flooding in Houston Area

After playing Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, all of the players of the Houston Rockets were able to go home safely even though storms battered their area on that same day.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale told ESPN that his team arrived in their respective residences safely and that no one got stuck on the side of the road due to the flood in Houston.

ESPN noted that Rockets star Dwight Howard had to stay in the Toyota Center arena until 2:30 a.m. with his son since the highway he takes to reach their home was not passable.

The basketball player's son reportedly played catch with some fans who also got stuck at the stands after the city was hit by a huge storm which flooded and shut down most of the streets and highways.

NBC News has learned that before Game 4 ended, people at the Toyota Center were advised to remain inside. "Toyota Center is advising fans to stay in seats after game due to severe weather outside. Be safe," the announcement said.

Howard, who chose to stay along with hundreds of fans inside the arena, said it was not safe to risk going home. "I don't think it's smart for anybody to try to be out on this weather," he added.

According to CBS Local, the people who stayed at the game were given water, peanuts and other snacks while they waited for the rain and the flood to stop.

Some Rockets staff members also reportedly stayed with Howard and the fans inside the Toyota Center because of the extreme downpour.

"I live a block and half away from the arena, so I was able to get home pretty easily. The last thing I heard Dwight was in the arena with some of the guys because he lives so far away. I think he was the last to leave," McHale told ESPN.

According to the National Weather Service, between 6 and 10 inches of rain fell in Houston on Monday night, causing authorities to advise people to stay indoors because two bayous and other waterways overflowing.

The rain reportedly continued until early Tuesday. CBS Local said fans were allowed to go home at around 5:45 a.m., but some of them were still unable to do so because there was still flooding in some roads and it was still dangerous to travel.

An update report said all of the fans were able to leave the center at around 9:40 a.m. and managed to reach their homes safely.

The Rockets were able to defeat the Warriors during Game 4 with a 128-115 victory and they are now scheduled to leave for Oakland for Game 5. The Warriors are currently leading the best-of-seven series with a 3-1 standing.