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Hurricane Harvey: powerful storm makes landfall in Texas – latest updates Hurricane Harvey: powerful storm makes landfall in Texas – latest
(35 minutes later)
12.10pm BST
12:10
FEMA chief: Harvey turning into 'deadly inland event'.
FEMA chief Brock Long has said Hurricane Harvey is turning into a “deadly inland event”.
Citizens of TX, this is now turning into a deadly inland event. Thoughts and prayers are with you. https://t.co/2qqTnl1Anj
12.08pm BST12.08pm BST
12:0812:08
The destruction that heavy rain and floods from Hurricane Harvey could inflict on Texas would add to the pile of debt owed by a federal flood insurance program that is due to expire in September, advocacy groups have said.The destruction that heavy rain and floods from Hurricane Harvey could inflict on Texas would add to the pile of debt owed by a federal flood insurance program that is due to expire in September, advocacy groups have said.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) owes $24.6 billion to the Treasury, Reuters reports.The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) owes $24.6 billion to the Treasury, Reuters reports.
Most of it covered claims from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and floods in 2016, the program’s third most severe loss-year on record with losses exceeding $4 billion, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which manages it.Most of it covered claims from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and floods in 2016, the program’s third most severe loss-year on record with losses exceeding $4 billion, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which manages it.
The NFIP was extended 17 times between 2008 and 2012 and lapsed four times in that period. A 2012 law extended the program to September.The NFIP was extended 17 times between 2008 and 2012 and lapsed four times in that period. A 2012 law extended the program to September.
The only source of flood insurance for most Americans, it will be in place for homeowners and businesses in Harvey’s path along the central Texas coast.The only source of flood insurance for most Americans, it will be in place for homeowners and businesses in Harvey’s path along the central Texas coast.
But Harvey-related claims covered under the program could push it deeper into the red and possibly toward its borrowing limit of just over $30 billion, said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog in Washington, D.C.But Harvey-related claims covered under the program could push it deeper into the red and possibly toward its borrowing limit of just over $30 billion, said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog in Washington, D.C.
11.38am BST11.38am BST
11:3811:38
Hurricane Harvey downgraded to category 1 stormHurricane Harvey downgraded to category 1 storm
Harvey has now been downgraded to a category 1 storm. But flooding fears remain.Harvey has now been downgraded to a category 1 storm. But flooding fears remain.
The National Hurricane Center is expecting “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” across the middle and upper Texas coast.The National Hurricane Center is expecting “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” across the middle and upper Texas coast.
Moderate to High Risk of power outages over a large part of souhteast Texas thru Sunday morning. #harvey #txwx pic.twitter.com/u5MB7Hzq6lModerate to High Risk of power outages over a large part of souhteast Texas thru Sunday morning. #harvey #txwx pic.twitter.com/u5MB7Hzq6l
11.11am BST11.11am BST
11:1111:11
Here is advice on what to do if a flash flood warning is in effect.Here is advice on what to do if a flash flood warning is in effect.
Know what to do if a Flash Flood Warning is in effect? #txwx #houwx #bcswx #Harvey pic.twitter.com/sdwTlLsI4rKnow what to do if a Flash Flood Warning is in effect? #txwx #houwx #bcswx #Harvey pic.twitter.com/sdwTlLsI4r
10.46am BST10.46am BST
10:4610:46
Cameras outside the International Space Station captured views of hurricane Harvey during a flyover on Friday.Cameras outside the International Space Station captured views of hurricane Harvey during a flyover on Friday.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.10am BSTat 11.10am BST
10.23am BST10.23am BST
10:2310:23
This piece on ProPublica about why Houston was unprepared for a major hurricane is an interesting read.This piece on ProPublica about why Houston was unprepared for a major hurricane is an interesting read.
This is terrifying. A major hurricane near Houston could devastate the global economy. #Harvey https://t.co/lG8gBJVXRsThis is terrifying. A major hurricane near Houston could devastate the global economy. #Harvey https://t.co/lG8gBJVXRs
10.19am BST10.19am BST
10:1910:19
While Harvey has weakened, flooding remains the big concern.While Harvey has weakened, flooding remains the big concern.
#Harvey has weakened to a Cat. 2 with max sustained winds of 110 mph - flooding still the big concern: #Harvey2017 https://t.co/Ke3boeJPjt pic.twitter.com/IfNA070zoF#Harvey has weakened to a Cat. 2 with max sustained winds of 110 mph - flooding still the big concern: #Harvey2017 https://t.co/Ke3boeJPjt pic.twitter.com/IfNA070zoF
10.12am BST10.12am BST
10:1210:12
Humans aren’t the only ones displaced by hurricane Harvey.Humans aren’t the only ones displaced by hurricane Harvey.
Gators and flooding advice via @txgatorsquad: Expect them to be displaced. Simply looking for higher ground. Leave alone until water recedes pic.twitter.com/nN1B5jvMyVGators and flooding advice via @txgatorsquad: Expect them to be displaced. Simply looking for higher ground. Leave alone until water recedes pic.twitter.com/nN1B5jvMyV
10.06am BST10.06am BST
10:0610:06
This live stream of #HurricaneHarvey is NUTS. https://t.co/PQWAIOFrpGThis live stream of #HurricaneHarvey is NUTS. https://t.co/PQWAIOFrpG
9.52am BST9.52am BST
09:5209:52
Hurricane Harvey downgraded to Category 2Hurricane Harvey downgraded to Category 2
Five hours after it made landfall, hurricane Harvey has been downgraded to a category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110mph - down from 130mph.Five hours after it made landfall, hurricane Harvey has been downgraded to a category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110mph - down from 130mph.
#HurricaneHarvey is slowly weakening, now a Category 2. Rain bands inching closer to the Austin area. https://t.co/A8sAY5EeIw#HurricaneHarvey is slowly weakening, now a Category 2. Rain bands inching closer to the Austin area. https://t.co/A8sAY5EeIw
It is feared the storm will create catastrophic damage from wind, storm surge and flooding caused by torrential rainfall.It is feared the storm will create catastrophic damage from wind, storm surge and flooding caused by torrential rainfall.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell and Fayette counties. A flash flood watch is also in effect for Travis, Williamson, Hays, Blanco, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays and Lee counties. And flood warnings have been issued for Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Hays Counties.Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell and Fayette counties. A flash flood watch is also in effect for Travis, Williamson, Hays, Blanco, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays and Lee counties. And flood warnings have been issued for Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Hays Counties.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.11am BSTat 11.11am BST
9.22am BST
09:22
Many people have pointed out on social media that Donald Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio came as hurricane Harvey made landfall.
Trump's Arpaio pardon comes in the middle of a Cat-4 hurricane making landfall on a Friday night: pic.twitter.com/rYNjRQ5iu1
Trump is tweeting about his pardon of Joe Arpaio as a Category 4 hurricane is set to make landfall in Texas. https://t.co/zM6reeZqSn
Trump pardoning Arpaio at 8pm on a Friday as a massive hurricane hits the nation tells you everything about how thrilled the WH is with this
9.03am BST
09:03
Teams in Portland are getting briefed to respond to several 911 calls made of roofs that have collapsed here in town. #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/UCqLD8cA3c
8.50am BST
08:50
The American Red Cross has opened a second shelter in Dallas.
JUST IN: @RedCrossDFW just opened a second Dallas shelter for up to 200 evacuees at the Tommie Allen Recreation Center. #HurricaneHarvey
8.47am BST
08:47
Here’s another Facebook post from the Aransas Pass police department.
8.45am BST
08:45
KIII-TV reports that 10 people have been treated in Rockport since Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Gulf Coast city on Friday night.
Rockport volunteer fire department spokeswoman Gillian Cox told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that the roof of Rockport’s high school has partially caved in. But Cox said social media posts that the school has “disappeared” are inaccurate.
Rockport city manager Kevin Carruth said multiple people have been taken to the county’s jail for assessment and treatment after the roof of a senior housing complex collapsed. He said the courthouse in the city about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Corpus Christi has sustained major damage, and a cargo trailer is halfway in the building. Rockport’s historic downtown area also has seen heavy damage, Carruth said, and there are also reports of damage to vehicles and roofs.
Officials about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away in Aransas Pass said the Harbor Master Building along its coast has been destroyed. The Aransas Pass police department posted a video on its Facebook page of the building folding up from the high speed winds.
Updated
at 8.46am BST
8.32am BST
08:32
@TxStormChasers north end of Richmond, just south of Katy. Keep catching waves like this! #HurricaineHarvey pic.twitter.com/tXPULW1NTs
8.03am BST
08:03
Power network corporation Ercot now says Hurricane Harvey has knocked out power to more than 211,000 customers.
7.52am BST
07:52
Summary
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Friday night in Rockport, Texas, after swiftly gathering strength over the Gulf of Mexico.
It hit the coast as a category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 130mph (210km/h). It began moving north-west at 7mph.
More than 100,000 people are without power, and people in the city of Corpus Christie – the nearest big city – have been urged to boil their water. Reports of significant damage are emerging in Rockport.
The National Hurricane Center says “catastrophic flooding” is expected due to heavy rainfall and a storm surge. The storm is forecast to head towards Houston, the state’s largest city, which is prone to flooding.
Donald Trump has signed a disaster proclamation at the request of the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott. This will release federal disaster response funds and resources. Abbott has already declared a state of disaster in 30 counties to speed up deployment of state resources.
The mayor of Rockport has urged residents who chose to stay to write their social security numbers on their arms to make it easier for rescuers to identify them.
Harvey is expected to slow down and linger over south-eastern Texas for the next few days, dumping up to 30 inches (76cm) of rain, with 40 inches in isolated areas of middle and upper Texas. The danger is forecast to last through to Wednesday.
Storm surges of up to 13ft (4 metres) plus destructive waves are expected between Port Aransas and Port O’Connor, a stretch of coast either side of where Harvey made landfall.
Swells generated by Harvey are affecting the Texas, Louisiana, and north-east Mexico coasts.
Multiple tornado warnings have been issued and one has been spotted at Sienna Plantation just south of Houston. Tornadoes are possible through Saturday in middle and upper Texas and far south-west Louisiana.
Updated
at 10.49am BST
7.34am BST
07:34
Police have spotted a tornado at Sienna Plantation, just a few miles south of Houston.
Tornado sighting - Sienna Plantation area / Please take cover and do not get out of shelter
7.30am BST
07:30
It is 1.30am in Rockport at the moment, where the storm made landfall. Accurate information about the scale of the damage in that town is still some hours away but some reports are emerging.
HOMES DESTROYED - Video like this just breaks your heart, but shows the extreme power & strength of #HurricaneHarvey #TXwx pic.twitter.com/XNDc90MDI7