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Hurricane Harvey: powerful storm makes landfall in Texas – latest Hurricane Harvey: powerful storm makes landfall in Texas – latest updates
(about 1 hour later)
3.40pm BST
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Here’s Tom Dart and Edward Helmore’s latest news report. Tom is in Houston:
Hurricane Harvey smashed into Texas near the coastal town of Rockport overnight, leveling buildings and lashing low-lying areas with intense rain and winds up to 130mph.
The category 4 storm weakened as it made landfall, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, and by 5am Harvey had dropped to category 1 with sustaining winds of 90mph. But it had already deposited more than 9in (22.8cm) of rain and experts said its heaviest rainfall was yet to come.
The hurricane was expected to produce total rainfall of 15in (38.1cm) to 35in (88.9cm), with isolated pockets of 40in (101.6cm) through Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center said “rainfall of this magnitude will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flooding”. One expert said Harvey’s flooding could reach “depths of which we’ve never seen”.
Damage could not immediately be assessed, though no deaths were immediately reported. A local energy provider said more than 200,000 customers were without electricity at 6.30am local time. Melissa Munguia, emergency management coordinator in Nueces County, which includes the city of Corpus Christi, said it could be hours before crews could fully assess the damage.
Read the full story here:
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Texans are venturing outside to examine the damage caused by the hurricane so far.
In Corpus Christi, the major city closest to the storm’s centre, wind whipped the palm trees, horizontal rain hit offices and hotels along the seawall, lamp posts and tree limbs were downed and roof tiles torn off buildings.
RT SiobhanRobbins: Traffic lights and trees down in Corpus Christi as #Hurricaneharvey hits pic.twitter.com/59iT9uLco3
@cnn My brother in law just took this. Corpus Christi #harvey pic.twitter.com/zMWk3YCjT3
The mayor of Rockport, a coastal city of about 10,000 that was directly in the storm’s path, said his community took a blow “right on the nose” that left “widespread devastation.” The roof of a high school had partially caved in, about 10 people were taken to the county jail for treatment after the roof of a senior housing complex collapsed, and the historic downtown sustained extensive damage, AP reported.
Widespread structural damage in Rockport. #harvey pic.twitter.com/fA2WLg2YqQ
First light reveals heavy damage in Rockport, TX. #hurricaneharvey. pic.twitter.com/a9vVRn9iJS
In Houston, the US’s fourth biggest city, the primary concern was flooding. “We are not having a hurricane,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, the top elected official for the county, which encompasses Houston. “We are having a rain event.”
Grey skies and soggy in #Houston #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/isO7v3lwoy
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In Keegans Bayou, northwest of Missouri City, Texas, water levels have risen to approximately an inch above the banks of the river and is spreading on to the surrounding roads.In Keegans Bayou, northwest of Missouri City, Texas, water levels have risen to approximately an inch above the banks of the river and is spreading on to the surrounding roads.
Keegan's bayou is almost out of its banks. #abc13 pic.twitter.com/MDw1r9bJ7oKeegan's bayou is almost out of its banks. #abc13 pic.twitter.com/MDw1r9bJ7o
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Here’s a map of the flood risk from Hurricane Harvey, across Texas, showing 20+ inches of rainfall forecast for Houston and the surrounding area. Austin is almost as bad.Here’s a map of the flood risk from Hurricane Harvey, across Texas, showing 20+ inches of rainfall forecast for Houston and the surrounding area. Austin is almost as bad.
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Tom DartTom Dart
The Guardian’s Tom Dart reports from Houston:The Guardian’s Tom Dart reports from Houston:
Tornado and flash-flood warnings and watches were issued for the Houston area as rains intensified overnight. As Harvey made landfall some 200 miles southwest on Friday night, bands of rain and wind arrived in the Houston region, bringing wildly varying amounts of rain: from under an inch in some places to five inches and more elsewhere, according to the Harris County Flood Warning System.Tornado and flash-flood warnings and watches were issued for the Houston area as rains intensified overnight. As Harvey made landfall some 200 miles southwest on Friday night, bands of rain and wind arrived in the Houston region, bringing wildly varying amounts of rain: from under an inch in some places to five inches and more elsewhere, according to the Harris County Flood Warning System.
At least one tornado was reported to have damaged homes.At least one tornado was reported to have damaged homes.
Despite a suggestion at a Friday press conference, from the governor, Greg Abbott, that residents should consider leaving, officials have not called for an evacuation, though there are fears of sustained heavy rainfall that could bring widespread flooding to a place dubbed the Bayou City for the number of rivers that run through it. Forecasts indicated Harvey could bring as much as 25-35 inches of rain over a period of several days to one of the country’s most flood-prone cities. On Saturday the National Weather Service warned of “record-setting rainfall” throughout Wednesday.Despite a suggestion at a Friday press conference, from the governor, Greg Abbott, that residents should consider leaving, officials have not called for an evacuation, though there are fears of sustained heavy rainfall that could bring widespread flooding to a place dubbed the Bayou City for the number of rivers that run through it. Forecasts indicated Harvey could bring as much as 25-35 inches of rain over a period of several days to one of the country’s most flood-prone cities. On Saturday the National Weather Service warned of “record-setting rainfall” throughout Wednesday.
An area from the coast to the far northern reaches of Houston’s suburbs, 125 miles away, was under a flash-flood warning early on Saturday. A local energy provider reported nearly 62,000 customers were without electricity at 6.30am.An area from the coast to the far northern reaches of Houston’s suburbs, 125 miles away, was under a flash-flood warning early on Saturday. A local energy provider reported nearly 62,000 customers were without electricity at 6.30am.
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Trump: ‘So far, so good’Trump: ‘So far, so good’
Donald Trump has been tweeting non-stop about the storm this morning, even reacting calmly and constructively to a warning from a Republican senator.Donald Trump has been tweeting non-stop about the storm this morning, even reacting calmly and constructively to a warning from a Republican senator.
“Keep on top of hurricane Harvey dont mke same mistake Pres Bush made w Katrina,” Iowa’s Chuck Grassley tweeted to the president yesterday, prompting this reply this morning:“Keep on top of hurricane Harvey dont mke same mistake Pres Bush made w Katrina,” Iowa’s Chuck Grassley tweeted to the president yesterday, prompting this reply this morning:
.@ChuckGrassley - got your message loud and clear. We have fantastic people on the ground, got there long before #Harvey. So far, so good!.@ChuckGrassley - got your message loud and clear. We have fantastic people on the ground, got there long before #Harvey. So far, so good!
Trump also praised his Fema chief, Brock Long, telling him “you are doing a great job”, an unfortunate choice of words that recalls George W Bush’s remark to his own emergency management director, Michael Brown, during Hurriane Katrina: “You’re doing a heck of a job, Brownie.”Trump also praised his Fema chief, Brock Long, telling him “you are doing a great job”, an unfortunate choice of words that recalls George W Bush’s remark to his own emergency management director, Michael Brown, during Hurriane Katrina: “You’re doing a heck of a job, Brownie.”
Although Long was only appointed in June, he is a former Fema regional hurricane programme manager and ran Alabama’s emergency management agency from 2008 to 2011, when the Gulf coast was hit by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.Although Long was only appointed in June, he is a former Fema regional hurricane programme manager and ran Alabama’s emergency management agency from 2008 to 2011, when the Gulf coast was hit by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Kristy Dahl, a climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Guardian’s Tom Dart: “I think we have to be hopeful that they’ll handle it properly. [Long] is certainly well qualified for the job and he was one of the rare appointments by the Trump administration that was widely hailed as reasonable and appointing someone with appropriate experience to the job.”Kristy Dahl, a climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Guardian’s Tom Dart: “I think we have to be hopeful that they’ll handle it properly. [Long] is certainly well qualified for the job and he was one of the rare appointments by the Trump administration that was widely hailed as reasonable and appointing someone with appropriate experience to the job.”
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SummarySummary
If you’re just joining us, here’s a summary of where things stand:If you’re just joining us, here’s a summary of where things stand:
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Friday night, and has now stalled over the south-east of the state, where it is pummelling the Gulf Coast with strong winds and heavy rain. Experts fear it could stay in place for days, causing extensive damage.Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Friday night, and has now stalled over the south-east of the state, where it is pummelling the Gulf Coast with strong winds and heavy rain. Experts fear it could stay in place for days, causing extensive damage.
Forecasters predict life-threatening storm surges and “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” for the state, with up to three feet of rain forecast.Forecasters predict life-threatening storm surges and “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” for the state, with up to three feet of rain forecast.
It hit the coast as a category 4 storm – the fiercest to hit the US in more than a decade with 130mph winds. But it has since been downgraded to category 1 and the winds have dropped to 90mph.It hit the coast as a category 4 storm – the fiercest to hit the US in more than a decade with 130mph winds. But it has since been downgraded to category 1 and the winds have dropped to 90mph.
Tens of thousands of residents have fled inland. No deaths had been confirmed by Saturday morning local time, but emergency crews could not get to many places due to the high winds.Tens of thousands of residents have fled inland. No deaths had been confirmed by Saturday morning local time, but emergency crews could not get to many places due to the high winds.
More than 100,000 people are without power, and people in the city of Corpus Christie – the major city closest to the storm’s center – have been urged to boil their water. Reports of significant damage are emerging in Rockport, which was directly in Harvey’s path when it came ashore. The mayor urged residents who chose to stay to write their social security numbers on their arms to make it easier for rescuers to identify them.More than 100,000 people are without power, and people in the city of Corpus Christie – the major city closest to the storm’s center – have been urged to boil their water. Reports of significant damage are emerging in Rockport, which was directly in Harvey’s path when it came ashore. The mayor urged residents who chose to stay to write their social security numbers on their arms to make it easier for rescuers to identify them.
Even if the storm retreats to the Gulf of Mexico in a few days, meteorologists fear it could turn back to land for a second assault.Even if the storm retreats to the Gulf of Mexico in a few days, meteorologists fear it could turn back to land for a second assault.
There was some confusion in Houston, after Texas governor, Greg Abbott, urged people to flee, but the city authorities told people to remain in their homes, saying there might be a greater danger in having people who don’t need to be evacuated on roads that could flood. All seven Texas counties on the coast from Corpus Christi to the western end of Galveston Island ordered mandatory evacuations from low-lying areas. Four counties ordered full evacuations and warned there was no guarantee of rescue for people staying behind.There was some confusion in Houston, after Texas governor, Greg Abbott, urged people to flee, but the city authorities told people to remain in their homes, saying there might be a greater danger in having people who don’t need to be evacuated on roads that could flood. All seven Texas counties on the coast from Corpus Christi to the western end of Galveston Island ordered mandatory evacuations from low-lying areas. Four counties ordered full evacuations and warned there was no guarantee of rescue for people staying behind.
The storm poses the first major emergency management test for Donald Trump, who signed a disaster proclamation on Friday night, releasing federal response funds and resources, and has been tweeting about the storm on Saturday morning. The president will remember the damage caused to George W Bush’s reputation by his slow response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in Louisiana. His Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) chief, Brock Long, was only confirmed on 20 June, three weeks into the Atlantic hurricane season, and the president has not yet nominated a permanent head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which plays a key role in weather forecasting.The storm poses the first major emergency management test for Donald Trump, who signed a disaster proclamation on Friday night, releasing federal response funds and resources, and has been tweeting about the storm on Saturday morning. The president will remember the damage caused to George W Bush’s reputation by his slow response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in Louisiana. His Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) chief, Brock Long, was only confirmed on 20 June, three weeks into the Atlantic hurricane season, and the president has not yet nominated a permanent head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which plays a key role in weather forecasting.
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 throughout Saturday in middle and upper Texas and far south-west Louisiana.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 throughout Saturday in middle and upper Texas and far south-west Louisiana.
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Fema chief: Harvey turning into 'deadly inland event'Fema chief: Harvey turning into 'deadly inland event'
Fema chief, Brock Long, has said Hurricane Harvey is turning into a “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/2qqTnl1AnjCitizens of TX, this is now turning into a deadly inland event. Thoughts and prayers are with you. https://t.co/2qqTnl1Anj
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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 programme 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 programme due to expire in September, advocacy groups have said.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) owes $24.6bn to the Treasury, Reuters reports.The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) owes $24.6bn to the Treasury, Reuters reports.
Most of it covered claims from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and floods in 2016, the programme’s third most severe loss-year on record with losses exceeding $4bn, according to Fema, which manages it.Most of it covered claims from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and floods in 2016, the programme’s third most severe loss-year on record with losses exceeding $4bn, according to 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 programme to September.The NFIP was extended 17 times between 2008 and 2012 and lapsed four times in that period. A 2012 law extended the programme 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 programme could push it deeper into the red and possibly toward its borrowing limit of just over $30bn, said Steve Ellis, vice-president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog in Washington DC.But Harvey-related claims covered under the programme could push it deeper into the red and possibly toward its borrowing limit of just over $30bn, said Steve Ellis, vice-president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog in Washington DC.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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This live stream of #HurricaneHarvey is NUTS. https://t.co/PQWAIOFrpGThis live stream of #HurricaneHarvey is NUTS. https://t.co/PQWAIOFrpG
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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.
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