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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 morning 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 morning 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, causing catastrophic flooding for days, according to the National Hurricane Center.• The powerful system, now a tropical storm, pounded the region with torrential rains that were expected to continue, causing catastrophic flooding for days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
• “This event is unprecedented,” the National Weather Service said in a tweet.• “This event is unprecedented,” the National Weather Service said in a tweet.
• Emergency responders completed more than 1,000 high-water rescues during the night.• Emergency responders completed more than 1,000 high-water rescues during the night.
• Parts of Harris County, which includes Houston, have seen more than 20 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.• Parts of Harris County, which includes Houston, have seen more than 20 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.
• 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 YorkIn 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.
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
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.
Rescue crews traversed the city in high-water vehicles, their crews donning life jackets and helmets, and in trucks towing boats and jet skis. Rescue crews traversed the city in high-water vehicles, their crews donning life jackets and helmets, and in trucks towing boats and Jet Skis.
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 HoustonWith the skies gradually, briefly clearing over Houston, aerial rescues could be close at hand, a National Guard official said. — ALAN BLINDER in Houston
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.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is planning to be in the state of Texas long after the flooding and damage caused by Tropical Storm Harvey have eased, the agency’s top official said on Sunday. 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.
“We’re setting up and gearing up for the next couple of years,” Brock Long, the agency’s administrator, told CNN’s “State of the Union.” 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.
Mr. Long said while FEMA is focused on rescue efforts, the agency is also planning for the future, including helping homeowners with federal flood insurance. Nine shelters are open, and the number is expected to increase, officials said. A full list is available at readyharris.org.
FEMA officials said the federal government has 5,000 people, including members of the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agriculture Department, in Texas and Louisiana to assist state and local officials. For those not facing a life-threatening emergency, officials said to call 311 inside Houston and 211 outside the city.
Gov. Greg Abbott said on Sunday that the federal government’s response had been on time and well-coordinated. “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
“We could not be more appreciative of what the federal government has done, from the president on down,” Mr. Abbott told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. — RON NIXON in Washington
Forecasters are expecting 15 to 30 inches of rain and isolated amounts as high as 40 inches, said Michael Brennan, the acting chief of the center’s Hurricane Specialist Unit.Forecasters are expecting 15 to 30 inches of rain and isolated amounts as high as 40 inches, said Michael Brennan, the acting chief of the center’s Hurricane Specialist Unit.
The greater Houston area has already gotten more than 5 inches of rain, Dr. Brennan said. Areas in far South Texas, the Texas Hill Country and southwest and central Louisiana could see 5 to 15 inches of rain.The greater Houston area has already gotten more than 5 inches of rain, Dr. Brennan said. Areas in far South Texas, the Texas Hill Country and southwest and central Louisiana could see 5 to 15 inches of rain.
A storm surge warning is in effect from Port Aransas to High Island, Tex., the National Hurricane Center said, which means a dangerous amount of rising water is expected to move inland. Read more »A storm surge warning is in effect from Port Aransas to High Island, Tex., the National Hurricane Center said, which means a dangerous amount of rising water is expected to move inland. Read more »
Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday said that his primary concern remains “dramatic flooding” in the wake of the storm. With many emergency responders overwhelmed by requests for help, residents are asking for assistance on social media.
Speaking at a televised news conference in Austin, Governor Abbott 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.
warned Texans to be vigilant and to stay away from rising water, noting that it can be far deeper, with swifter currents, than it may appear. 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.
“Turn around, don’t drown. Don’t risk your life,” he said. “The most important thing all Texans can do is to put your life and the protection of your life first and foremost.” 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.
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
About 4,500 inmates at three prison units in Rosharon, Tex., were being bused to other facilities as the nearby Brazos River rose under heavy rain. By noon, the river had swelled by at least 15 feet since Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Read more »About 4,500 inmates at three prison units in Rosharon, Tex., were being bused to other facilities as the nearby Brazos River rose under heavy rain. By noon, the river had swelled by at least 15 feet since Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Read more »
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.