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Tropical storm Harvey: 30,000 people will need shelter after flooding in Texas - live Tropical storm Harvey: 30,000 people will need shelter after flooding in Texas - live
(35 minutes later)
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It's believed #Harvey has dumped 11 trillion gallons of water on the Houston metro area.
For our metric system readers, that is just shy of 42 trillion liters. Some parts of the area could receive as much as 50 inches (127cm).
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Louisiana now joins Texas with federal emergency status.Louisiana now joins Texas with federal emergency status.
Trump approves emergency declaration in Louisiana. #HarveyReliefTrump approves emergency declaration in Louisiana. #HarveyRelief
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.51pm BSTat 1.51pm BST
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Tom DartTom Dart
Rains have, at least in the short term, slowed in Houston giving residents a reprieve from the deluge, but as far as the flooding goes there’s no end in sight. Our Tom Dart has this from the city:Rains have, at least in the short term, slowed in Houston giving residents a reprieve from the deluge, but as far as the flooding goes there’s no end in sight. Our Tom Dart has this from the city:
Dawn broke with the relatively good news that most places in the Houston area received less than an inch of rain over the previous six hours, with heavier rans to the east around the Texas-Louisiana border.Dawn broke with the relatively good news that most places in the Houston area received less than an inch of rain over the previous six hours, with heavier rans to the east around the Texas-Louisiana border.
Still, the National Weather Service cautioned of “days of dangerous flooding potential ahead for parts of Texas and Louisiana” and rains were forecast to pick up again on Monday.Still, the National Weather Service cautioned of “days of dangerous flooding potential ahead for parts of Texas and Louisiana” and rains were forecast to pick up again on Monday.
There were concerns that water levels are still rising in Fort Bend County, southwest of central Houston, with the Brazos River expected to crest on Tuesday afternoon or evening.There were concerns that water levels are still rising in Fort Bend County, southwest of central Houston, with the Brazos River expected to crest on Tuesday afternoon or evening.
“A flood of this magnitude is an 800 year event and it exceeds the design specifications of our levees, and is potentially dangerous for a good portion of Fort Bend County. A fifty-nine foot river level threatens to overtop many of the levees in our area,” Robert Hebert, the county judge, said in a statement early on Monday. “As a result, I am ordering both voluntary and mandatory evacuations for many of the levee improvement districts along the Brazos River.”“A flood of this magnitude is an 800 year event and it exceeds the design specifications of our levees, and is potentially dangerous for a good portion of Fort Bend County. A fifty-nine foot river level threatens to overtop many of the levees in our area,” Robert Hebert, the county judge, said in a statement early on Monday. “As a result, I am ordering both voluntary and mandatory evacuations for many of the levee improvement districts along the Brazos River.”
Flooding in the north of the county was also a risk as sharply-rising reservoir levels prompted the US Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water from two dams in far west Houston overnight in order to protect a large area of the city, but at the possible expense of neighbourhoods surrounding the dams and reservoirs.Flooding in the north of the county was also a risk as sharply-rising reservoir levels prompted the US Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water from two dams in far west Houston overnight in order to protect a large area of the city, but at the possible expense of neighbourhoods surrounding the dams and reservoirs.
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Disturbing scenes from ABC’s Good Morning America as a woman stuck on her roof is interviewed live.Disturbing scenes from ABC’s Good Morning America as a woman stuck on her roof is interviewed live.
"Please help us, I'm scared." Houston resident stranded on her roof with no food, water asks for help on @GMA: https://t.co/cWJShLm5CW pic.twitter.com/xrGNYBzMpy"Please help us, I'm scared." Houston resident stranded on her roof with no food, water asks for help on @GMA: https://t.co/cWJShLm5CW pic.twitter.com/xrGNYBzMpy
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The areas hit by catastrophic flooding are likely to expand over the next few days, according to Louis Uccellini, director of National Weather Service.The areas hit by catastrophic flooding are likely to expand over the next few days, according to Louis Uccellini, director of National Weather Service.
Here are his key quotes from the briefing:Here are his key quotes from the briefing:
There is still uncertainty as we are dealing with this track.There is still uncertainty as we are dealing with this track.
In respect to Houston we are in a lull right now, but will get back into moderate to heavy rains later today and then into tomorrow.In respect to Houston we are in a lull right now, but will get back into moderate to heavy rains later today and then into tomorrow.
Those bands that have been sitting over Houston, one has shifted off to the north-east. We have a report of over 30 inches of rain so far near Houston.Those bands that have been sitting over Houston, one has shifted off to the north-east. We have a report of over 30 inches of rain so far near Houston.
There is about a 15 to 20 inch rainfall still forecast. And note also the shift towards the east, south-west Louisiana, wester Louisiana, and going into north east Texas. We need to watch that area very carefully.There is about a 15 to 20 inch rainfall still forecast. And note also the shift towards the east, south-west Louisiana, wester Louisiana, and going into north east Texas. We need to watch that area very carefully.
The peak flow in depth of this flood will max out in the Wednesday/Thursday time frame.The peak flow in depth of this flood will max out in the Wednesday/Thursday time frame.
The flooding will be very slow to recede. We are seeing catastrophic flooding and this will likely expand and persist as it is slow to recede.The flooding will be very slow to recede. We are seeing catastrophic flooding and this will likely expand and persist as it is slow to recede.
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Brock Long, the director of Fema, urged ordinary citizens to help with the rescue and relief effort.Brock Long, the director of Fema, urged ordinary citizens to help with the rescue and relief effort.
Here are the key quotes from his statement:Here are the key quotes from his statement:
This is a life-safety, life-sustaining mission. Right now in addition to search and rescue, the next objective is to stabilise disaster survivors. We have got to get them into shelters. We are anticipating over 30,000 people being placed in shelters temporarily.This is a life-safety, life-sustaining mission. Right now in addition to search and rescue, the next objective is to stabilise disaster survivors. We have got to get them into shelters. We are anticipating over 30,000 people being placed in shelters temporarily.
Security is also a main concern ...Security is also a main concern ...
Helping Texas overcome this disaster is going to be far greater than Fema coordinating the mission of the federal government. We need citizens to be involved. This is a landmark event. We have not seen an event like this, you could not dream this forecast up. It has been a very challenging effort ... It is going to continue on. We need the whole community effort, it is going to require the citizens getting involved.Helping Texas overcome this disaster is going to be far greater than Fema coordinating the mission of the federal government. We need citizens to be involved. This is a landmark event. We have not seen an event like this, you could not dream this forecast up. It has been a very challenging effort ... It is going to continue on. We need the whole community effort, it is going to require the citizens getting involved.
We are expecting over 450,000 potential registers of disaster victims. That is a huge number. We have already processed nearly 15,000 calls over the last 24 hours.We are expecting over 450,000 potential registers of disaster victims. That is a huge number. We have already processed nearly 15,000 calls over the last 24 hours.
I’m asking for all citizens to get involved: donate your money; figure out how you can get involved, as we help Texas find a new normal after this devastating disaster.I’m asking for all citizens to get involved: donate your money; figure out how you can get involved, as we help Texas find a new normal after this devastating disaster.
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Elaine Duke, acting homeland security secretary, said the government is “deeply concerned” about the plight of those in and around Houston.Elaine Duke, acting homeland security secretary, said the government is “deeply concerned” about the plight of those in and around Houston.
Here are the key quotes from her statementHere are the key quotes from her statement
Today we are deeply concerned with those in Houston and surrounding areas who are stranded and in need of immediate assistance.Today we are deeply concerned with those in Houston and surrounding areas who are stranded and in need of immediate assistance.
While hurricane force winds have diminished, I want to stress that we are not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot. Harvey is still a dangerous and historic storm.While hurricane force winds have diminished, I want to stress that we are not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot. Harvey is still a dangerous and historic storm.
Life-threatening flooding will occur over a large proportion of south central and south-east Texas in the coming days.Life-threatening flooding will occur over a large proportion of south central and south-east Texas in the coming days.
It is vitally important for those in Texas and Louisiana to monitor your local radio and TV stations for updated emergency information and listen to the direction of your local officials.It is vitally important for those in Texas and Louisiana to monitor your local radio and TV stations for updated emergency information and listen to the direction of your local officials.
Under the president’s direction we have made every resource available to respond to this historic storm. We are committed to getting the resources local officials need as soon as possible.Under the president’s direction we have made every resource available to respond to this historic storm. We are committed to getting the resources local officials need as soon as possible.
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The press conference ended without any update on the number of people killed in the flooding.The press conference ended without any update on the number of people killed in the flooding.
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Paul Zukunft, commander of the US coast guard, said thousands of lives are being saved by his crews.Paul Zukunft, commander of the US coast guard, said thousands of lives are being saved by his crews.
He said he was concerned by the number of drones in an already crowded airspace. He warned that the using private drones could hamper rescue efforts.He said he was concerned by the number of drones in an already crowded airspace. He warned that the using private drones could hamper rescue efforts.
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Long said that evacuation of Houston could take days, but it has not yet been ordered. He advised residents to listen to local officials before deciding whether they should leave their homes.Long said that evacuation of Houston could take days, but it has not yet been ordered. He advised residents to listen to local officials before deciding whether they should leave their homes.
He said it was not time to start pointing blame on officials who have already ordered evacuations.He said it was not time to start pointing blame on officials who have already ordered evacuations.
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NWS: 'catastrophic flooding' to persistNWS: 'catastrophic flooding' to persist
Louis Uccellini director of National Weather Service warned that “catastrophic flooding” is likely to persist.Louis Uccellini director of National Weather Service warned that “catastrophic flooding” is likely to persist.
He said moderate to heavy rain will resume later on Monday after a brief lull. Flooding is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, Uccellini said.He said moderate to heavy rain will resume later on Monday after a brief lull. Flooding is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, Uccellini said.
He pointed out that 30 inches of rain had fallen on Houston since the storm hit on Friday.He pointed out that 30 inches of rain had fallen on Houston since the storm hit on Friday.
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Fema: 30,000 people will need shelterFema: 30,000 people will need shelter
US emergency officials are giving a press briefing.US emergency officials are giving a press briefing.
Elaine Duke, acting homeland security secretary, says the government has made every resource available to deal with the storm and to get help to local officials as quickly as possible.Elaine Duke, acting homeland security secretary, says the government has made every resource available to deal with the storm and to get help to local officials as quickly as possible.
Brock Long, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said between 30 to 50 counties could be hit by the storm.Brock Long, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said between 30 to 50 counties could be hit by the storm.
He said Fema estimates that 30,000 people will need to be placed in shelters.He said Fema estimates that 30,000 people will need to be placed in shelters.
Long described the storm as a “landmark event”.Long described the storm as a “landmark event”.
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Col Lars Zetterstrom defended the reservoir releases on CNN. He said: “We are doing controlled releases from both Addicks and Barker dams to minimise the volume of uncontrolled releases.Col Lars Zetterstrom defended the reservoir releases on CNN. He said: “We are doing controlled releases from both Addicks and Barker dams to minimise the volume of uncontrolled releases.
“I totally understand that the citizens of Harris county and Houston are worried about us releasing this water, but the water is going to go into the Buffalo Bayou no matter what we do, because of what mother nature is doing.”“I totally understand that the citizens of Harris county and Houston are worried about us releasing this water, but the water is going to go into the Buffalo Bayou no matter what we do, because of what mother nature is doing.”