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| Harvey Brings Catastrophic Floods to Houston; at Least Five Reported Dead | Harvey Brings Catastrophic Floods to Houston; at Least Five Reported Dead |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| • At least five deaths and more than a dozen injuries were reported by Sunday in the aftermath of Harvey, the hurricane that tore across the Gulf Coast of Texas over the weekend. | • At least five deaths and more than a dozen injuries were reported by Sunday in the aftermath of Harvey, the hurricane that tore across the Gulf Coast of Texas over the weekend. |
| • The powerful system, now a tropical storm, pounded the region with torrential rains that were expected to continue for days, causing catastrophic flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center. | • The powerful system, now a tropical storm, pounded the region with torrential rains that were expected to continue for days, causing catastrophic flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center. |
| • The public hospital for Harris County, which includes Houston, began evacuating patients after flooding disrupted its power supply. | • The public hospital for Harris County, which includes Houston, began evacuating patients after flooding disrupted its power supply. |
| • The National Weather Service forecast rainfall of 15 to 25 inches through Friday, with as much as 50 inches in a few areas. | |
| • Emergency responders completed more than 1,000 high-water rescues during the night, and asked the public to donate boats. | • Emergency responders completed more than 1,000 high-water rescues during the night, and asked the public to donate boats. |
| • Follow Times correspondents tracking the storm on Twitter: @mannyNYT in Rockport, Tex., @alanblinder , @julieturkewitz and @ckrausss in Houston, and @jswatz in New York. | • Follow Times correspondents tracking the storm on Twitter: @mannyNYT in Rockport, Tex., @alanblinder , @julieturkewitz and @ckrausss in Houston, and @jswatz in New York. |
| • Are you in an affected area? If you are safe, and are able to, please share your photos and videos with us. | • Are you in an affected area? If you are safe, and are able to, please share your photos and videos with us. |
| The effects associated with Tropical Storm Harvey are “unprecedented” and “unknown and beyond anything experienced,” the National Weather Service said in a tweet. | The effects associated with Tropical Storm Harvey are “unprecedented” and “unknown and beyond anything experienced,” the National Weather Service said in a tweet. |
| In an interview on Sunday morning, Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, said: “Everything that we had hoped wouldn’t happen but was forecasted is happening. We have a catastrophic, life-threatening flood event taking place over southeastern Texas, including the Houston metropolitan area. It’s bad now and it’s getting worse.” — CHRISTINA CARON and CHRISTOPHER MELE in New York | In an interview on Sunday morning, Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, said: “Everything that we had hoped wouldn’t happen but was forecasted is happening. We have a catastrophic, life-threatening flood event taking place over southeastern Texas, including the Houston metropolitan area. It’s bad now and it’s getting worse.” — CHRISTINA CARON and CHRISTOPHER MELE in New York |
| The storm pummeled Houston and the surrounding region, bringing catastrophic flooding and killing at least five people in the region, the National Weather Service said Sunday morning. | The storm pummeled Houston and the surrounding region, bringing catastrophic flooding and killing at least five people in the region, the National Weather Service said Sunday morning. |
| The Weather Service issued repeated flash flood warnings throughout Saturday night, and dry city streets turned to speeding rivers in a matter of minutes. Emergency lines in the city were soon filled with people stranded on highways, and residents began sending desperate tweets directly to officials. | The Weather Service issued repeated flash flood warnings throughout Saturday night, and dry city streets turned to speeding rivers in a matter of minutes. Emergency lines in the city were soon filled with people stranded on highways, and residents began sending desperate tweets directly to officials. |
| One video showed cars almost completely submerged under one of the city’s many elevated highways. | One video showed cars almost completely submerged under one of the city’s many elevated highways. |
| Emergency responders completed more than 1,000 high-water rescues during the night. “Travel across the area is severely hampered, if not impossible,” said an announcement from the Weather Service. | Emergency responders completed more than 1,000 high-water rescues during the night. “Travel across the area is severely hampered, if not impossible,” said an announcement from the Weather Service. |
| City officials urged flooded residents to head to their roofs, not their attics. | City officials urged flooded residents to head to their roofs, not their attics. |
| “Many neighbors are screaming for help,” wrote one man to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on Twitter, urging the sheriff to call. | “Many neighbors are screaming for help,” wrote one man to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on Twitter, urging the sheriff to call. |
| “Where?” the sheriff responded on Twitter. “Keep calling 911.” — JULIE TURKEWITZ in Houston | “Where?” the sheriff responded on Twitter. “Keep calling 911.” — JULIE TURKEWITZ in Houston |
| William McKeon, president and chief executive of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, said the flood control systems in the massive hospital complex had been activated. “Those submarine doors were locked yesterday afternoon when we started to see the rain,” he said. | William McKeon, president and chief executive of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, said the flood control systems in the massive hospital complex had been activated. “Those submarine doors were locked yesterday afternoon when we started to see the rain,” he said. |
| Patients, however, were having difficulty reaching medical care. “Many outlying streets that are the channels to get to the medical center are flooded,” Mr. McKeon said. “We can be dry and open but if you can’t deliver patients to the medical center, that’s our biggest concern.” He said the system’s eight helicopters were working in outlying areas, but not flying to the medical center because of high winds and tornado warnings. | Patients, however, were having difficulty reaching medical care. “Many outlying streets that are the channels to get to the medical center are flooded,” Mr. McKeon said. “We can be dry and open but if you can’t deliver patients to the medical center, that’s our biggest concern.” He said the system’s eight helicopters were working in outlying areas, but not flying to the medical center because of high winds and tornado warnings. |
| At around noon, officials in Harris County announced that Ben Taub Hospital, a part of the medical center, was being evacuated. Flooding in its basement was affecting the power source. Critical patients were being moved first. — SHERI FINK in New York | At around noon, officials in Harris County announced that Ben Taub Hospital, a part of the medical center, was being evacuated. Flooding in its basement was affecting the power source. Critical patients were being moved first. — SHERI FINK in New York |
| The National Guard swarmed Houston on Sunday, turning to high-water vehicles to make rescues in flooded neighborhoods. Crews traversed the city in high-water vehicles, donning life jackets and helmets, and in trucks towing boats and Jet Skis. Stranded residents mounted the backs of some soldiers, who waded through thigh-high waters to take evacuees to trucks that would drive them to safety. | |
| On the highways, some motorists, already stalled, tried to push others to safety. People consulted their phones, looking for traffic alerts and safe passages. Even National Guard soldiers traveling in civilian vehicles were left to consult Google Maps. | On the highways, some motorists, already stalled, tried to push others to safety. People consulted their phones, looking for traffic alerts and safe passages. Even National Guard soldiers traveling in civilian vehicles were left to consult Google Maps. |
| At midday Sunday, nine National Guard vehicles were parked along a stretch of Interstate 610. Soldiers in life jackets and camouflage pants were scrambling into a boat to make rescues in a nearby area, and they expected to be kept busy for hours. | At midday Sunday, nine National Guard vehicles were parked along a stretch of Interstate 610. Soldiers in life jackets and camouflage pants were scrambling into a boat to make rescues in a nearby area, and they expected to be kept busy for hours. |
| With the skies gradually, briefly clearing over Houston, aerial rescues could be close at hand, a National Guard official said. — ALAN BLINDER in Houston | With the skies gradually, briefly clearing over Houston, aerial rescues could be close at hand, a National Guard official said. — ALAN BLINDER in Houston |
| Eighty members of New York City’s Urban Search and Rescue task force left Brooklyn in a convoy headed to Houston Sunday to aid in storm recovery efforts. | Eighty members of New York City’s Urban Search and Rescue task force left Brooklyn in a convoy headed to Houston Sunday to aid in storm recovery efforts. |
| The group included members of New York’s Police and Fire Departments, as well as emergency medical personnel from the city’s Office of Emergency Management. In addition, 40 members of the Fire Department’s Incident Management Team were also deployed. | The group included members of New York’s Police and Fire Departments, as well as emergency medical personnel from the city’s Office of Emergency Management. In addition, 40 members of the Fire Department’s Incident Management Team were also deployed. |
| “After Superstorm Sandy, so many cities stepped up to help our people,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a tweet Sunday morning. | “After Superstorm Sandy, so many cities stepped up to help our people,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a tweet Sunday morning. |
| On Saturday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York sent 104 Air National Guard rescue teams, including helicopters and one plane. — LIZ ROBBINS | On Saturday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York sent 104 Air National Guard rescue teams, including helicopters and one plane. — LIZ ROBBINS |
| President Trump wrote a series of tweets on Sunday morning congratulating officials and emergency workers for their response to the torrential rain and flooding, and said he would visit Texas. | President Trump wrote a series of tweets on Sunday morning congratulating officials and emergency workers for their response to the torrential rain and flooding, and said he would visit Texas. |
| “Many people are now saying that this is the worst storm/hurricane they have ever seen,” he wrote in one tweet. “Good news is that we have great talent on the ground.” | “Many people are now saying that this is the worst storm/hurricane they have ever seen,” he wrote in one tweet. “Good news is that we have great talent on the ground.” |
| After offering praise for “great coordination” at “all levels of government,” Mr. Trump said in another tweet he would be going to Texas “as soon as that trip can be made without causing disruption.” He added, “The focus must be life and safety.” | After offering praise for “great coordination” at “all levels of government,” Mr. Trump said in another tweet he would be going to Texas “as soon as that trip can be made without causing disruption.” He added, “The focus must be life and safety.” |
| Harris County officials asked the public to contribute boats and high-water vehicles, which they said were “desperately” needed to help rescue people before nightfall. At a news conference on Sunday, County Judge Ed Emmett said that “government assets are fully utilized,” and that boats from outside the area could not get there. | Harris County officials asked the public to contribute boats and high-water vehicles, which they said were “desperately” needed to help rescue people before nightfall. At a news conference on Sunday, County Judge Ed Emmett said that “government assets are fully utilized,” and that boats from outside the area could not get there. |
| The rain is beginning to taper, said Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District. He added that the water might not run off until Tuesday. “Every watershed is experiencing flooding,” he said. | The rain is beginning to taper, said Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District. He added that the water might not run off until Tuesday. “Every watershed is experiencing flooding,” he said. |
| Nine shelters are open, and the number is expected to increase, officials said. A full list is available at readyharris.org. | Nine shelters are open, and the number is expected to increase, officials said. A full list is available at readyharris.org. |
| For those not facing a life-threatening emergency, officials said to call 311 inside Houston and 211 outside the city. “I know you’re scared,” Mr. Lindner said, addressing flood victims. “But know that help is coming. Help will be there.” — CHRISTINA CARON in New York | For those not facing a life-threatening emergency, officials said to call 311 inside Houston and 211 outside the city. “I know you’re scared,” Mr. Lindner said, addressing flood victims. “But know that help is coming. Help will be there.” — CHRISTINA CARON in New York |
| Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to bring additional rainfall of 15 to 25 inches through Friday over the middle and upper Texas coast, including the Houston and Galveston metropolitan areas, the National Hurricane Center said in an update at 2 p.m. Eastern. | Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to bring additional rainfall of 15 to 25 inches through Friday over the middle and upper Texas coast, including the Houston and Galveston metropolitan areas, the National Hurricane Center said in an update at 2 p.m. Eastern. |
| “Isolated storm totals may reach 50 inches in this region,” it said. | “Isolated storm totals may reach 50 inches in this region,” it said. |
| With many emergency responders overwhelmed by requests for help, residents are asking for assistance on social media. | With many emergency responders overwhelmed by requests for help, residents are asking for assistance on social media. |
| Some posted addresses of their flooded homes on Twitter and Facebook, with photographs of half-submerged furniture, boats in the street or families stranded on roofs. | Some posted addresses of their flooded homes on Twitter and Facebook, with photographs of half-submerged furniture, boats in the street or families stranded on roofs. |
| When emergency workers haven’t responded on social media, civilians often have, sharing or retweeting posts that seem especially desperate, or offering phone numbers for local emergency services. | When emergency workers haven’t responded on social media, civilians often have, sharing or retweeting posts that seem especially desperate, or offering phone numbers for local emergency services. |
| Officials are using social media, too — to warn residents against relying on it. | Officials are using social media, too — to warn residents against relying on it. |
| The Houston Police Department tweeted that people should not seek help by directing Twitter posts to the department’s accounts. “If you have a life-threatening emergency, 911 is the best way to capture your request and make sure it is properly dispatched,” the department said. | The Houston Police Department tweeted that people should not seek help by directing Twitter posts to the department’s accounts. “If you have a life-threatening emergency, 911 is the best way to capture your request and make sure it is properly dispatched,” the department said. |
| Mark Henry, a county judge who was taking calls at the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management on Sunday, said in an interview that people should call 911 if their lives were in danger. He acknowledged that residents, like his office, were overwhelmed. | Mark Henry, a county judge who was taking calls at the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management on Sunday, said in an interview that people should call 911 if their lives were in danger. He acknowledged that residents, like his office, were overwhelmed. |
| “We literally have thousands and thousands of people seeking help,” he said. “We can’t keep up with social media. We can’t even keep up with real-world operations here.” — JACEY FORTIN in New York | “We literally have thousands and thousands of people seeking help,” he said. “We can’t keep up with social media. We can’t even keep up with real-world operations here.” — JACEY FORTIN in New York |
| Donations to the Red Cross for those affected by Harvey can be made online or text HARVEY to 90999. | Donations to the Red Cross for those affected by Harvey can be made online or text HARVEY to 90999. |
| Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online. | Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online. |
| Catholic Charities is accepting donations online or text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate. | Catholic Charities is accepting donations online or text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate. |
| Airbnb is waiving all service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1. | Airbnb is waiving all service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1. |