Hurricane Harvey: Houston furniture store lets flood victims crash on mattresses and sofas

'They're sleeping on hundreds of mattresses throughout the store. They're sleeping on the couches -- wherever they can find a place that's comfortable'

A Houston furniture shop has opened its doors to victims of the record flooding which has devastated the city.

Owner Jim McIngvale said he hoped to give locals “some comfort in this incredibly difficult time”.

At least 18 people have died during Storm Harvey and more than 13,000 people had to be rescued.

As the scale of the disaster became apparent, Mr McIngvale – a prominent local figure who goes by the nickname "Mattress Mack" – decided to shelter flood victims in his furniture stores.


 Maria Lopez plays with her son Rafael Lopez, 3, in the warehouse at Gallery Furniture where they have been staying after evacuating their flooded home over the weekend, in Houston, Texas 
 (REUTERS/Nick Oxford)

“Gallery Furniture North Freeway and Gallery Furniture Grand Parkway are now open as shelters for anyone who is in need,” announced the business’s Facebook page on Sunday.

“We have food, beds and clean restrooms for anyone in need who comes to those locations.

“Stay safe, God bless you and your family and may God bless Texas.”

Mr McIngvale gave out his personal mobile phone number on social media and said “if you need something, call, and we’ll try to get you whatever help we can”.

The stores quickly filled to capacity, accommodating 400 people, who slept on the stock.

"We sell home theatre furniture that you watch TV in, they're sleeping on that” Mr McIngvale told NPR.

“They're sleeping on recliners, sleeping on sofas and love seats. We have sleeper sofas, they pulled them out and slept on that.

"They're sleeping on hundreds of mattresses throughout the store. They're sleeping on the couches -- wherever they can find a place that's comfortable, and God bless 'em."

Clothing and meals were also provided to victims, along with a play area for children, also made from mattresses.

Mr McIngvale also sent out his business’s largest trucks to help with rescue operations in the city.

"We had several Penske rental trucks, 24-foot trucks that you can get in any flooded street,” he told KENS5. “We sent volunteers out in Houston picking up people.”

He added: "I was raised as a Catholic. I continued my Catholic faith throughout my life, trying to do the right thing and hopefully, you do the right thing and help people along the way.”

Referring to his motivation for using his business to shelter victims, Mr McIngvale said: “Sitting in a perfectly normal house one day and then, 10 minutes later you've got three feet of water in it.

“So, it's very stressful and we're trying to help them out because they've done so much for us over the years."

The entrepreneur is well known in the local area for his business stunts and fast talking adverts.

His stores have also housed flood victims before, and he took in 200 victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.