This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hurricane-harvey-texas-eight-dead-keith-mcmullin-port-aransas-texas-a7914516.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hurricane Harvey: Eight killed as storm hits Texas Hurricane Harvey: Eight killed as storm hits Texas
(35 minutes later)
The mayor of Port Aransas, Texas on the coast has confirmed that at least eight people have died in Hurricane Harvey. The mayor of Port Aransas, Texas on the coast has confirmed that at least eight people have died in Hurricane Harvey. 
Mayor Charles Bujan has heard from local police that the Pioneer Trailer Park in the town experience a "100-percent loss". It is unclear as to whether all eight reported deaths are from the mobile home park or other parts of the city. 
There have been prolonged mobile and phone signal outages in the area. 
Search and rescue efforts are underway, but are hampered by large debris and continued winds and rain. 
"We had to send heavy maintenance equipment in before the police to clear the highway," Mr Bujan told a local news station.
Residents of several coastal cities and seven counties had been strongly urged to evacuate inland, however at least 5,000 residents stayed in the area. 
Mr Bujan also said: "No one should consider returning or visiting Port Aransas until further notice."
Earlier, the US Coast Guard had been dispatched to answer distress calls from tugboat near Port Aransas. Two helicopter crews were dispatched to the Corpus Christi area as well. 
The Texas Military Department had deployed approximately 700 members of the State Guard and National Guard to the coastal region just ahead of the storm as well. 
Harvey made landfall late on the night of 25 August as a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 130 mph (209 kmh). Rainfall is expected to be around 15 to 30 inches (38 to 76 cm) but could reach up to 40 inches (102 cm) in some areas. 
More follows…More follows…