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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)
4.45pm BST
16:45
As seen in the situation room?
Trump has used his Harvey meetings as product placement for hats he sells for $40 two days in a row now... pic.twitter.com/EQcPkS8Yit
4.42pm BST
16:42
Speaking with CNN, Democratic Texas Congressman Al Green, whose district was hard hit by Harvey, defended the Houston mayor’s decision not to order mandatory evacuations by raising the example of troubles the city faced during the 2005 evacuation for Hurricane Rita.
With Rita we had maybe 2-3 million people out on the road. They were out there with heatstroke, people were out there literally fighting... People literally lost their lives while out on the road trying to get to another city...
The mayor has the resources here. Trying to get resources to people who are on the road, in cars, don’t know what the weather is going to be like, out of gas, it can be very difficult...
I think the mayor made the right call. There will always be people who will second guess but if you had a million people out on the roads, trying to take care of them when your resources are here in Houston, it could be very difficult.”
Updated
at 4.43pm BST
4.27pm BST
16:27
A message from former President George HW Bush and Barbara Bush “to their fellow Houstonians and Texans” affected by tropical storm Harvey:
“Barbara and I are in Maine, but our hearts are in Houston. We are praying for all of our fellow Houstonians and Texans affected by Harvey, and truly inspired by the flotilla of volunteers-- points of light all-- who are answering the call to help their neighbors. We salute them, the first responders, and the local elected officials for their grit and determination in the face of this extraordinary storm. This we know: Houston, and Texas, will come together and rebuild.”
4.13pm BST4.13pm BST
16:1316:13
There are 5,500 residents currently in shelters “and I suspect that number is going to rise,” Mayor Turner said.There are 5,500 residents currently in shelters “and I suspect that number is going to rise,” Mayor Turner said.
“Things are dynamic. People who were not in crisis yesterday may be in crisis today.”“Things are dynamic. People who were not in crisis yesterday may be in crisis today.”
4.11pm BST4.11pm BST
16:1116:11
“The goal is rescue. That’s the major focus for the day and that’s my directive,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in a Monday morning press conference who said the city has “more assets today” than yesterday.“The goal is rescue. That’s the major focus for the day and that’s my directive,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in a Monday morning press conference who said the city has “more assets today” than yesterday.
The city’s 911 switchboard has fielded 75,000 emergency calls as of 9AM CDT this morning, according to officials.The city’s 911 switchboard has fielded 75,000 emergency calls as of 9AM CDT this morning, according to officials.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says his department has completed the rescue of “2000 Houstonians and members of our community.”Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says his department has completed the rescue of “2000 Houstonians and members of our community.”
Acevedo said 185 critical rescue requests are still pending and that his department’s goal “is to complete the rescues of all critical missions today.”Acevedo said 185 critical rescue requests are still pending and that his department’s goal “is to complete the rescues of all critical missions today.”
Acevedo said four would-be looters have been arrested by his officers and added “the one thing you can be assured, if you try and take advantage of our citizens who have been victimized enough by mother nature,” you’ll be arrested.Acevedo said four would-be looters have been arrested by his officers and added “the one thing you can be assured, if you try and take advantage of our citizens who have been victimized enough by mother nature,” you’ll be arrested.
3.32pm BST3.32pm BST
15:3215:32
We are expecting an official update on the storm and relief efforts from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo any minute now.We are expecting an official update on the storm and relief efforts from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo any minute now.
3.30pm BST3.30pm BST
15:3015:30
If you’ve been affected by the storm, you can share your stories, pictures and video with us by using the blue ‘Contribute’ button at the top of this page or this form. Your stories will help our journalists develop a more complete picture of these events and we will use them in our reporting.If you’ve been affected by the storm, you can share your stories, pictures and video with us by using the blue ‘Contribute’ button at the top of this page or this form. Your stories will help our journalists develop a more complete picture of these events and we will use them in our reporting.
Your safety is most important. Do not take any risks when recording or sharing your story.Your safety is most important. Do not take any risks when recording or sharing your story.
3.25pm BST3.25pm BST
15:2515:25
By the numbers on Harvey in the Houston Metro Area:By the numbers on Harvey in the Houston Metro Area:
276 High water locations along major Houston-area roads276 High water locations along major Houston-area roads
80,000 electricity customers without service80,000 electricity customers without service
18 Helicopters used in rooftop rescue efforts18 Helicopters used in rooftop rescue efforts
4,000 National and State Guard members activated to assist with storm aftermath (including an additional 1,000 called up Monday morning).4,000 National and State Guard members activated to assist with storm aftermath (including an additional 1,000 called up Monday morning).
Source: Houston ChronicleSource: Houston Chronicle
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.28pm BSTat 3.28pm BST
2.45pm BST2.45pm BST
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The Harris County Flood Control District said that roadways running through the two reservoirs that have had water intentionally released “are underwater and will remain impassable for several weeks to several months”.The Harris County Flood Control District said that roadways running through the two reservoirs that have had water intentionally released “are underwater and will remain impassable for several weeks to several months”.
According to our Tom Dart, these are important highways and will likely present residents with many weeks of disruption, diversions and heavy traffic as they try to put pieces back together in Harvey’s aftermath.According to our Tom Dart, these are important highways and will likely present residents with many weeks of disruption, diversions and heavy traffic as they try to put pieces back together in Harvey’s aftermath.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.51pm BSTat 2.51pm BST
2.19pm BST2.19pm BST
14:1914:19
It's believed #Harvey has dumped 11 trillion gallons of water on the Houston metro area.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).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).
1.50pm BST1.50pm BST
13:5013:50
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
1.44pm BST1.44pm BST
13:4413:44
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 to begin 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 to begin 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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.42pm BSTat 2.42pm BST
1.35pm BST
13:35
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
1.24pm BST
13:24
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:
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.
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.
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.
1.08pm BST
13:08
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:
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 ...
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.
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.
12.54pm BST
12:54
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 statement
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.
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.
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.
12.43pm BST
12:43
The press conference ended without any update on the number of people killed in the flooding.
12.42pm BST
12:42
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.
12.37pm BST
12:37
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.
12.31pm BST
12:31
NWS: 'catastrophic flooding' 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 pointed out that 30 inches of rain had fallen on Houston since the storm hit on Friday.
12.24pm BST
12:24
Fema: 30,000 people will need shelter
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.
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.
Long described the storm as a “landmark event”.
12.16pm BST
12:16
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.”