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Storm Harvey: Up to 2,000 rescued as Houston hit by 'catastrophic floods' Storm Harvey: Up to 2,000 rescued as Houston hit by 'catastrophic floods'
(about 1 hour later)
Up to 2,000 people have been rescued from floods in and around Houston, as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to batter Texas with heavy rains.Up to 2,000 people have been rescued from floods in and around Houston, as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to batter Texas with heavy rains.
There are reports of possible deaths in submerged vehicles, but investigations continue, Chief Darryl Coleman of the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.There are reports of possible deaths in submerged vehicles, but investigations continue, Chief Darryl Coleman of the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.
Amid catastrophic flooding, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that conditions were "unprecedented". Texas Governor Greg Abbott told the media he could not confirm storm-related deaths.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says conditions are "unprecedented".
It said there was a "flash flood emergency" across the Houston Metro area, with travel near impossible.
Many shelters have been opened, including in a convention centre.Many shelters have been opened, including in a convention centre.
There is a "flash flood emergency" across the Houston Metro area, with travel near impossible, the NWS says. Governor Abbott said about 250 roads and motorways had been closed in Texas and that he had made a federal disaster declaration for 19 counties that was granted by President Donald Trump.
It earlier noted reports of five deaths, but only one fatality in Houston has been confirmed. "We are dealing with a triangle of ongoing rain, including Houston, Victoria and Corpus Christi cities," Mr Abbott said.
"We will continue receiving incredibly heavy rain."
The NWS earlier noted reports of five deaths in the area, but only one fatality in Houston has been confirmed.
Two deaths have so far been confirmed from the storm since it made landfall:
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has urged residents not to call emergency services unless their situation is life-threatening and they need to be rescued.Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has urged residents not to call emergency services unless their situation is life-threatening and they need to be rescued.
"Don't get on the road. Don't assume this storm is over," he said."Don't get on the road. Don't assume this storm is over," he said.
In Rockport: Too poor to flee the hurricane
Officials in Harris County, of which Houston is the county seat, have asked people who own boats to help with rescues.
Houston Bush Airport has announced that all commercial flight operations have been stopped until further notice. Houston's other airport, Hobby, is also shut, with runways completely flooded.Houston Bush Airport has announced that all commercial flight operations have been stopped until further notice. Houston's other airport, Hobby, is also shut, with runways completely flooded.
Two deaths have so far been confirmed from the storm since it made landfall: At 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Sunday, the NWS said Houston had had an August rainfall total of 25.50in (64.8cm), making it the wettest month on record.
The NWS in Houston and Galveston said early on Sunday that it had recorded 24.1in (61.2cm) of measured rain in the past 24 hours. Roads have turned into rivers
by James Cook, BBC News, Houston
Inside Houston a disaster is unfolding. The motorways are deserted except for fire engines, police cars and other emergency vehicles.
Moving around the city is extremely difficult and dangerous. And yet some people are still driving, adding to the pressure on city authorities
Everywhere you look cars are being abandoned as people scramble to find high ground. Roads have turned to rivers along which evacuees are being taken to safety in boats and in army-style, open-back lorries.
They are huddled together under blankets and towels, glad to be alive. And still the rain comes teeming down, bouncing off the ground and bursting out of drains.
Houston is facing a crisis on an unprecedented scale.
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Flooding in the Houston area is expected to worsen and "could become historic", with "potentially significant flooding also expected in other saturated areas of south-east [Texas]", the forecaster says.Flooding in the Houston area is expected to worsen and "could become historic", with "potentially significant flooding also expected in other saturated areas of south-east [Texas]", the forecaster says.
In Rockport: Too poor to flee the hurricane
It is advising people to move to higher ground amid "an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation".
Residents were warned not to try to travel unless "fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order".
Like Houston, the island city of Galveston was also hit by "epic catastrophic flooding" overnight, the NWS added.Like Houston, the island city of Galveston was also hit by "epic catastrophic flooding" overnight, the NWS added.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by strong winds and thousands are without power. The US Coast Guard in Houston has requested more helicopters as more people ask for help.Rescue efforts are being hampered by strong winds and thousands are without power. The US Coast Guard in Houston has requested more helicopters as more people ask for help.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mobilised 1,800 military personnel to help with rescue and repair operations. Mr Abbott earlier said another 40in of rain could be due before the storm subsides midweek.
The BBC's James Cook, who is in Houston, says it feels like a city in crisis. Motorways are empty and abandoned cars are everywhere, he says.
Mr Abbott said another 40in of rain could be due before the storm subsides midweek.
Houston is the country's fourth biggest city, with 6.6m people living in the metropolitan area.Houston is the country's fourth biggest city, with 6.6m people living in the metropolitan area.
The weather service has issued flash flood emergency warnings for many counties in south-eastern Texas.
"Many creeks, rivers and bayous have flooded and have surpassed previous flood record levels," it said.
Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil has said it is shutting down the second-largest refinery in the country, at Baytown. The Texas Gulf Coast is a key centre of the US oil and gas industry.Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil has said it is shutting down the second-largest refinery in the country, at Baytown. The Texas Gulf Coast is a key centre of the US oil and gas industry.
Harvey began as a major category four hurricane - the first to make landfall in the US in 13 years when it arrived late Friday - but was downgraded to a tropical storm later on Saturday.Harvey began as a major category four hurricane - the first to make landfall in the US in 13 years when it arrived late Friday - but was downgraded to a tropical storm later on Saturday.
It is forecast to meander across south-east Texas until Wednesday.It is forecast to meander across south-east Texas until Wednesday.
President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he would travel to Texas "as soon as that trip can be made without causing disruption".President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he would travel to Texas "as soon as that trip can be made without causing disruption".
In another tweet, he said: "Good news is that we have great talent on the ground."
The storm is the strongest to hit the US since Charley in August 2004 and the most powerful to hit Texas since Hurricane Carla in 1961, which killed 34 people, according to the Houston Chronicle.The storm is the strongest to hit the US since Charley in August 2004 and the most powerful to hit Texas since Hurricane Carla in 1961, which killed 34 people, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Are you affected by Tropical Storm Harvey? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you affected by Tropical Storm Harvey? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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