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Next version
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ex-hurricane Harvey: Houston flooded as catastrophe unfolds in Texas – latest updates | Ex-hurricane Harvey: Houston flooded as catastrophe unfolds in Texas – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.46am BST | |
| 02:46 | |
| We are expecting a briefing soon on the planned releases of the Addicks and Barker reservoirs. This is part of central Houston’s flood control system. | |
| 2.41am BST | |
| 02:41 | |
| Kevin Simmons, an economist specialising in natural hazards at Austin College in Texas, points out there is $325bn of residential property at risk in the Houston metropolitan area. If only a tiny percentage of that is damaged, we are still talking about a clean-up bill that goes into billions, on top of which comes the commercial, infrastructure and transport costs. | |
| 2.35am BST | |
| 02:35 | |
| This is one of the many, many stories of rescues emerging across Houston. | |
| A powerful moment on @CNN just now -- a flood rescue with @edlavaCNN https://t.co/4Icgn35WzV | |
| 2.30am BST | |
| 02:30 | |
| This map gives a clearer idea of the areas at greatest risk of flash flooding through until 10.45am on Monday. | |
| This is the largest flash flood emergency I've ever seen issued by @NWSHouston. "Epic catastrophic flooding." pic.twitter.com/U9BmtJJbNN | |
| 2.25am BST | |
| 02:25 | |
| Reservoir to be released to protect Houston | |
| Fort Bend County, south-west of Houston, has issued a voluntary emergency evacuation order for a neighborhood next to a reservoir that is set to see water released to protect much of central Houston. | |
| A statement said: “Imminent flooding is expected in the area. Residents are advised to make preparations now to remove all persons, pets, and livestock out of the flood-prone area.” | |
| 2.23am BST | |
| 02:23 | |
| The topography of the disaster-hit area is crucial to understanding how this torrential rainfall could bring disaster. As Tom Dart explains, more than 6.5 million people live in the region, which is one of the country’s most flood-prone. | |
| As Houston’s population has expanded, thousands of homes have been built near the reservoirs, which are under repair because the Corps classified them as “extremely high risk” several years ago, though the federal agency has in the past denied they are under imminent danger of failing. | |
| 2.20am BST | |
| 02:20 | |
| Harris County official says controlled releases of reservoirs tomorrow will flood homes. Water will stay in them for *two* months. Stunning. | |
| 2.17am BST | |
| 02:17 | |
| Tom Dart | |
| Here is the latest overview of events from our correspondent, Tom Dart, in Houston. It paints a picture of a city under huge strain. The bayous are being breached, there are more than 200 road closures as the main routes turn into rivers, thousands of people are calling to be rescued, and emergency services are answering only those emergencies that are life-threatening. | |
| Steve Bowen, meteorologist at reinsurance firm Aon Benfield, said: “What we’re seeing is the most devastating flood event in Houston’s recorded history. We’re seeing levels of rainfall that are unprecedented.” | |
| It remains to be seen whether the state governor’s praise of the federal response as “A+” is justified. President Trump is due to visit the area tomorrow. | |
| 2.10am BST | 2.10am BST |
| 02:10 | 02:10 |
| The mayor also defended his decision not to order the city to evacuate. “The decision that we made was a smart one. It was in the best interest of Houstonians. It was the right decision in terms of their safety ... absolutely no regrets. We did what was the right thing to do,” he said. | The mayor also defended his decision not to order the city to evacuate. “The decision that we made was a smart one. It was in the best interest of Houstonians. It was the right decision in terms of their safety ... absolutely no regrets. We did what was the right thing to do,” he said. |
| This is an issue that will no doubt be much-discussed at a later date. | This is an issue that will no doubt be much-discussed at a later date. |
| 2.04am BST | 2.04am BST |
| 02:04 | 02:04 |
| The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, has said that as of 5pm on Sunday – or about three hours ago – Houston emergency services had received nearly 6,000 calls for rescues and had rescued more than 1,000 people. Many of them had been trapped on their roofs or in their attics. | The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, has said that as of 5pm on Sunday – or about three hours ago – Houston emergency services had received nearly 6,000 calls for rescues and had rescued more than 1,000 people. Many of them had been trapped on their roofs or in their attics. |
| He said 22 aircraft were scouring the area to identify people stranded on roofs. Thirty-five boats and 93 trucks were being used by the city for high-water rescues. | He said 22 aircraft were scouring the area to identify people stranded on roofs. Thirty-five boats and 93 trucks were being used by the city for high-water rescues. |
| He confirmed one fatality from Saturday evening, when a woman was found dead after getting out of her car in a flooded street. | He confirmed one fatality from Saturday evening, when a woman was found dead after getting out of her car in a flooded street. |
| 2.01am BST | 2.01am BST |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Brock Long, has predicted that the aftermath of the storm would require the agency’s involvement for years.“This disaster’s going to be a landmark event,” Long said. | The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Brock Long, has predicted that the aftermath of the storm would require the agency’s involvement for years.“This disaster’s going to be a landmark event,” Long said. |
| Meanwhile, the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, heaped praise on the agency and Donald Trump. “I’ve got to tell you, I give Fema a grade of A+, all the way from the president down,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the president several times, to his cabinet members, such as secretary of homeland security, such as the administrator of Fema, such as Tom Price, the secretary of health and human services.” | Meanwhile, the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, heaped praise on the agency and Donald Trump. “I’ve got to tell you, I give Fema a grade of A+, all the way from the president down,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the president several times, to his cabinet members, such as secretary of homeland security, such as the administrator of Fema, such as Tom Price, the secretary of health and human services.” |
| “All across the board, from the White House to the federal administration to Fema, they’ve been very helpful,” Abbott said. | “All across the board, from the White House to the federal administration to Fema, they’ve been very helpful,” Abbott said. |