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Hurricane Harvey: powerful storm makes landfall in Texas – latest Hurricane Harvey: powerful storm makes landfall in Texas – latest
(35 minutes later)
5.19pm BST
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Accuweather meterologist Reed Timmer posts these clips of serious flooding south of Rockport:
Second floor of home with walls and roof gone just south of Rockport, TX from Hurricane #Harvey @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/RHXxcaGUkI
Major flooding is blocking business 35 south of Rockport, TX. Search and rescue teams combing through rubble @breakingweather #Harvey pic.twitter.com/R2Kh95gI0s
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Here’s an image of Hurricane Harvey over Texas from the National Weather Service:Here’s an image of Hurricane Harvey over Texas from the National Weather Service:
1415Z GOES-East visible #satellite image of #HurricaneHarvey over #Texas. pic.twitter.com/2yRW2pe0Ha1415Z GOES-East visible #satellite image of #HurricaneHarvey over #Texas. pic.twitter.com/2yRW2pe0Ha
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The National Hurricane Center, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is warning of “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” across the middle and upper Texas coast from now until Thursday.The National Hurricane Center, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is warning of “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” across the middle and upper Texas coast from now until Thursday.
The area could see rainfall of 15 to 30 inches, with isolated maximums of 40 inches, the agency warns.The area could see rainfall of 15 to 30 inches, with isolated maximums of 40 inches, the agency warns.
In addition, the flooding will be slow to recede “due to the slow motion of Harvey and a prolonged period of onshore flow”.In addition, the flooding will be slow to recede “due to the slow motion of Harvey and a prolonged period of onshore flow”.
Here are the key messages for #Hurricane #Harvey for the 10 am CDT advisory. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/2BlWar7MMUHere are the key messages for #Hurricane #Harvey for the 10 am CDT advisory. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/2BlWar7MMU
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'A marathon, not a sprint''A marathon, not a sprint'
The National Weather Service is warning Texans not to assume the worst is now over. “This is a multi-day event ... marathon not a sprint,” the agency tweeted.The National Weather Service is warning Texans not to assume the worst is now over. “This is a multi-day event ... marathon not a sprint,” the agency tweeted.
Rainfall totals continue to increase with #Harvey. Totals as of 8 AM CDT Remember, this is a multi-day event...marathon not a sprint. pic.twitter.com/yhf7rmwd6JRainfall totals continue to increase with #Harvey. Totals as of 8 AM CDT Remember, this is a multi-day event...marathon not a sprint. pic.twitter.com/yhf7rmwd6J
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More photos and videos are being posted of damage to buildings in Rockport, Texas:More photos and videos are being posted of damage to buildings in Rockport, Texas:
Many parts of Rockport in ruins this morning. #harvey pic.twitter.com/Zw6T7at2fzMany parts of Rockport in ruins this morning. #harvey pic.twitter.com/Zw6T7at2fz
Dry boat storage in rockport by paradise key pic.twitter.com/3ZylxQuk8FDry boat storage in rockport by paradise key pic.twitter.com/3ZylxQuk8F
Rockport many building have collapsed near the water. pic.twitter.com/FFuDQg5jfx— Jeff Piotrowski (@Jeff_Piotrowski) #HurricaneHarveyRockport many building have collapsed near the water. pic.twitter.com/FFuDQg5jfx— Jeff Piotrowski (@Jeff_Piotrowski) #HurricaneHarvey
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Here are some of the key locations affected by the storm, or in Houston’s case expected to be affected:Here are some of the key locations affected by the storm, or in Houston’s case expected to be affected:
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Here’s Tom Dart and Edward Helmore’s latest news report. Tom is in Houston: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.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 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”.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.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:Read the full story here:
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Texans are venturing outside to examine the damage caused by the hurricane so far.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.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/59iT9uLco3RT 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@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.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/fA2WLg2YqQWidespread structural damage in Rockport. #harvey pic.twitter.com/fA2WLg2YqQ
First light reveals heavy damage in Rockport, TX. #hurricaneharvey. pic.twitter.com/a9vVRn9iJSFirst 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.”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/isO7v3lwoyGrey 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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