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Tropical storm Harvey: officials confirm eight fatalities – live updates Tropical storm Harvey: officials confirm eight fatalities – live updates
(35 minutes later)
3.26am BST
03:26
The Houston police officers’ union says that hundreds of officers currently on rescue duty have yet to return to their own flooded homes – and some will have nothing to return to:
Hundreds of officers lost everything in this flood and have yet to go home. If you can help please make a donation https://t.co/nMsKIkGp2C
3.16am BST
03:16
Amid the reports from Harvey’s path are, inevitably, some that are untrue.
For one, Barack Obama is not serving meals to displaced people in Houston (thank you, Snopes).
And that photo of a shark apparently swimming in the flooded streets of Houston? No. (Here’s that one debunked by Politifact.)
3.03am BST
03:03
What could be the longer-term effects on health of Harvey? In the immediate aftermath, concern will focus on public health dangers associated with muddy floodwaters; later will come the lasting effects of trauma, Associated Press reports:
It’s not known yet what kinds or how much sewage, chemicals and waterborne germs are mixed in the water. For now, health officials are more concerned about drownings, carbon monoxide poisoning from generators and hygiene at shelters. In the months and years to come, their worries will turn to the effects of trauma from Hurricane Harvey on mental health.
At a shelter set up inside George R. Brown Convention Center, Dr David Persse, Houston director of emergency medical services, is building a clinic of doctors and nurses:
This is rapidly evolving. I always worry in these large congregations of people about viral outbreaks that cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. And we are just getting started.
One of our goals is to appropriately treat people here with minor things so we don’t send everybody off to the hospital.
Many of the around 3,000 people who fled from Harvey’s flooding waited hours in water mixed with sewage, oil and gasoline. Some weren’t able to grab their medications or medical devices.
The US Environmental Protection Agency will begin sampling the floodwaters as soon as possible, said spokeswoman Liz Bowman. EPA teams will also be visiting water and sewage plants to offer help, she said.
The most common flood-related deaths occur when people try to drive through flooded areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2.48am BST2.48am BST
02:4802:48
A further mandatory eviction notice has been issued, this time for residents in the Water District, Northwood Pines subdivision. It’s currently 8.50pm local time – the warning states that roads could become unpassable by 11pm.A further mandatory eviction notice has been issued, this time for residents in the Water District, Northwood Pines subdivision. It’s currently 8.50pm local time – the warning states that roads could become unpassable by 11pm.
MANDATORY EVACUATION for the Northwood Pines Subdivision (The Water District) -"YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE WATER DISTRICT AFTER 11 PM" pic.twitter.com/2dViemAn0DMANDATORY EVACUATION for the Northwood Pines Subdivision (The Water District) -"YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE WATER DISTRICT AFTER 11 PM" pic.twitter.com/2dViemAn0D
2.36am BST2.36am BST
02:3602:36
Houston’s major evacuation shelter is full – with many people still arriving.Houston’s major evacuation shelter is full – with many people still arriving.
Lloyd Ziel, a Red Cross spokesman, said around 5,500 evacuees have reached the George R. Brown Convention Center, which has a capacity of 5,000.Lloyd Ziel, a Red Cross spokesman, said around 5,500 evacuees have reached the George R. Brown Convention Center, which has a capacity of 5,000.
With only 5,000 cots available, some people will have to sleep on the floor or on chairs.With only 5,000 cots available, some people will have to sleep on the floor or on chairs.
Sylvester Turner, Houston’s mayor, says plans are underway to set up a further major shelter, but the location for that hasn’t yet been revealed.Sylvester Turner, Houston’s mayor, says plans are underway to set up a further major shelter, but the location for that hasn’t yet been revealed.
Other smaller shelters are named on this list.Other smaller shelters are named on this list.
2.26am BST2.26am BST
02:2602:26
Louisiana’s Cajun Navy – a volunteer rescue group formed in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – has been in Texas helping to rescue some of the many stranded residents.Louisiana’s Cajun Navy – a volunteer rescue group formed in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – has been in Texas helping to rescue some of the many stranded residents.
Clyde Cain told CNN that the Louisiana group “brought about 20 boats … other boats have been coming … We’ve been running rescues as best we could, weather conditions as they are.”Clyde Cain told CNN that the Louisiana group “brought about 20 boats … other boats have been coming … We’ve been running rescues as best we could, weather conditions as they are.”
Cain said the group has had to pause rescue efforts because of the weather.Cain said the group has had to pause rescue efforts because of the weather.
2.07am BST2.07am BST
02:0702:07
A weather update – and there is no relief in sight for the people of Houston.A weather update – and there is no relief in sight for the people of Houston.
Heavy rain is continuing to develop across the city and is expected to fall through the night.Heavy rain is continuing to develop across the city and is expected to fall through the night.
Flash flooding risks remain very high. In the most affected zone, up to 12 inches (30.5cm) of rain is expected between now and Tuesday evening. Across the area, between 4 and 8 inches of rain are forecast.Flash flooding risks remain very high. In the most affected zone, up to 12 inches (30.5cm) of rain is expected between now and Tuesday evening. Across the area, between 4 and 8 inches of rain are forecast.
1.56am BST1.56am BST
01:5601:56
Residents in Inverness Forest and Northgate have now been issued with a mandatory evacuation order.Residents in Inverness Forest and Northgate have now been issued with a mandatory evacuation order.
Here was the scene at the Inverness Forest levee earlier on Monday, as water levels continued to rise:Here was the scene at the Inverness Forest levee earlier on Monday, as water levels continued to rise:
This is why there's a voluntary evacuation in place for Inverness Forest (North of #Houston). Here's the levee at Cypress Creek. #harvey pic.twitter.com/N2dY5y9uLjThis is why there's a voluntary evacuation in place for Inverness Forest (North of #Houston). Here's the levee at Cypress Creek. #harvey pic.twitter.com/N2dY5y9uLj
1.45am BST1.45am BST
01:4501:45
As night falls in the affected area, around 120,000 people are without power – something that is also hampering rescue efforts:As night falls in the affected area, around 120,000 people are without power – something that is also hampering rescue efforts:
+120,000 people without power. Number of outages going up. CenterPoint says "crews unable to reach many parts of the city due to flooding." pic.twitter.com/HtI5DZN2In+120,000 people without power. Number of outages going up. CenterPoint says "crews unable to reach many parts of the city due to flooding." pic.twitter.com/HtI5DZN2In
1.37am BST1.37am BST
01:3701:37
With officials saying 30,000 people will need shelter as Harvey’s effects intensify, the city of Houston, Harris county and the Red Cross are providing details of shelters available to those forced out of their homes.With officials saying 30,000 people will need shelter as Harvey’s effects intensify, the city of Houston, Harris county and the Red Cross are providing details of shelters available to those forced out of their homes.
You can see the full list here.You can see the full list here.
1.33am BST1.33am BST
01:3301:33
The first large group of Harvey evacuees arrived in Dallas an hour ago, Associated Press reports:The first large group of Harvey evacuees arrived in Dallas an hour ago, Associated Press reports:
A steady rain met a US air force C-130 transport plane as it landed at Dallas Love Field about 6.30pm Monday with about 70 evacuees. Pet dogs barked as evacuees carrying trash bags and backpacks were loaded on to a bus shortly after landing.A steady rain met a US air force C-130 transport plane as it landed at Dallas Love Field about 6.30pm Monday with about 70 evacuees. Pet dogs barked as evacuees carrying trash bags and backpacks were loaded on to a bus shortly after landing.
Dallas county judge Clay Jenkins says the plane was the first of a possible eight planeloads of evacuees expected to be flown into Dallas.Dallas county judge Clay Jenkins says the plane was the first of a possible eight planeloads of evacuees expected to be flown into Dallas.
The evacuees will be housed at smaller emergency shelters around the Dallas-Fort Worth area while city workers, partner organisations and volunteers finish preparing the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas.The evacuees will be housed at smaller emergency shelters around the Dallas-Fort Worth area while city workers, partner organisations and volunteers finish preparing the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas.
Jason Carriere, the police department emergency management coordinator in the Dallas suburb of Irving, said in a Monday email that Irving’s makeshift emergency shelter was prepared to take in about 200 people.Jason Carriere, the police department emergency management coordinator in the Dallas suburb of Irving, said in a Monday email that Irving’s makeshift emergency shelter was prepared to take in about 200 people.
As many as 5,000 evacuees may begin arriving on Tuesday.As many as 5,000 evacuees may begin arriving on Tuesday.
1.25am BST1.25am BST
01:2501:25
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as the stricken region heads towards nightfall.This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as the stricken region heads towards nightfall.
Several thousand people are already using emergency shelters, having been forced from their homes: close to 5,000 are spending the night in the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Officials are asking for donations of blankets and clothing.Several thousand people are already using emergency shelters, having been forced from their homes: close to 5,000 are spending the night in the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Officials are asking for donations of blankets and clothing.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.25am BSTat 1.25am BST
1.04am BST1.04am BST
01:0401:04
The latest on HarveyThe latest on Harvey
Record floods have hit Houston, with meteorologists calculating that Harvey is on track to saturate south-east Texas with enough water to fill every National Football League and Division 1 college stadium in the US more than 100 times over.Record floods have hit Houston, with meteorologists calculating that Harvey is on track to saturate south-east Texas with enough water to fill every National Football League and Division 1 college stadium in the US more than 100 times over.
Authorities said Monday that 2,000 people had been rescued from the city, and it is expected that 30,000 will need shelter.Authorities said Monday that 2,000 people had been rescued from the city, and it is expected that 30,000 will need shelter.
The death toll was rapidly rising on Monday, with reports of as many as nine dead, including a family reportedly killed when their van was swept away.The death toll was rapidly rising on Monday, with reports of as many as nine dead, including a family reportedly killed when their van was swept away.
Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Tuesday after facing sharp criticism for a series of unrelated tweets during the height of the hurricane and aftermath.Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Tuesday after facing sharp criticism for a series of unrelated tweets during the height of the hurricane and aftermath.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) said its response to Harvey was “quickly drawing down” the reserves in the agency’s disaster fund.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) said its response to Harvey was “quickly drawing down” the reserves in the agency’s disaster fund.
Trump told reporters that his threats to shutdown the government over his proposed border wall would not impact funding for the storm recovery.Trump told reporters that his threats to shutdown the government over his proposed border wall would not impact funding for the storm recovery.
The president also defended his controversial decision to pardon former sheriff Joe Arpaio during the hurricane on Friday, saying, “I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally.”The president also defended his controversial decision to pardon former sheriff Joe Arpaio during the hurricane on Friday, saying, “I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally.”
Harvey flood damage is expected to reach into the tens of billions, causing the region’s economy to shrink for months.Harvey flood damage is expected to reach into the tens of billions, causing the region’s economy to shrink for months.
Texas governor Greg Abbott activated the entire state National Guard on Monday, tripling the number of active guardsman from 4,000 to roughly 12,000.Texas governor Greg Abbott activated the entire state National Guard on Monday, tripling the number of active guardsman from 4,000 to roughly 12,000.
Trump has also issued a federal state of emergency for Louisiana.Trump has also issued a federal state of emergency for Louisiana.
The US Army Corps of Engineers began to release water from two Texas reservoirs, which officials say is causing flooding to surrounding homes, but is necessary to prevent greater damage.The US Army Corps of Engineers began to release water from two Texas reservoirs, which officials say is causing flooding to surrounding homes, but is necessary to prevent greater damage.
12.11am BST12.11am BST
00:1100:11
The Guardian’s Rory Carroll continues to report on the ground at the site of a volunteer rescue effort:The Guardian’s Rory Carroll continues to report on the ground at the site of a volunteer rescue effort:
John Brown helped rescue dozens today with his boat even though his own home is under water. Texans rock. pic.twitter.com/SCaFxPjYmqJohn Brown helped rescue dozens today with his boat even though his own home is under water. Texans rock. pic.twitter.com/SCaFxPjYmq
A mini-Dunkirk is playing out in parts of Woodlands, just north of Houston, where volunteers with boats and life jackets are extracting residents trapped amid rising floodwaters. In the High Oaks neighbourhood, at least five privately owned boats plucked people, pets and property from homes lining streets and avenues which had become waist-high bayous.A mini-Dunkirk is playing out in parts of Woodlands, just north of Houston, where volunteers with boats and life jackets are extracting residents trapped amid rising floodwaters. In the High Oaks neighbourhood, at least five privately owned boats plucked people, pets and property from homes lining streets and avenues which had become waist-high bayous.
The Woodlands fire department supplied another two boats. “This is just beautiful, everyone wants to help out,” said one fire department official watching the scene. “I’ve never seen a flood or a response like this.”The Woodlands fire department supplied another two boats. “This is just beautiful, everyone wants to help out,” said one fire department official watching the scene. “I’ve never seen a flood or a response like this.”
Impressive volunteer rescue effort extracting dozens of trapped Woodlands residents. pic.twitter.com/pghHReVIwzImpressive volunteer rescue effort extracting dozens of trapped Woodlands residents. pic.twitter.com/pghHReVIwz
Mario Aguirre retrieves supplies from the family home. pic.twitter.com/G84Y3agAouMario Aguirre retrieves supplies from the family home. pic.twitter.com/G84Y3agAou
Yes it's blurry but in absence of a waterproof phone I'm shooting through a Jiffy bag. pic.twitter.com/7iTtWbVhofYes it's blurry but in absence of a waterproof phone I'm shooting through a Jiffy bag. pic.twitter.com/7iTtWbVhof
She bought a $9.95 life vest from Walmart and brought it to help a flooded, richer part of town. pic.twitter.com/Dqq77hgM1sShe bought a $9.95 life vest from Walmart and brought it to help a flooded, richer part of town. pic.twitter.com/Dqq77hgM1s
11.50pm BST11.50pm BST
23:5023:50
The nursing home residents who were trapped in a flooding facility – captured in a photo that quickly went viral on Twitter – have been rescued and are now “safe, warm and dry”. Here is a new photo of them:The nursing home residents who were trapped in a flooding facility – captured in a photo that quickly went viral on Twitter – have been rescued and are now “safe, warm and dry”. Here is a new photo of them:
Remember the heartbreaking pic of Tx Sr Citizens stuck in chest deep water in #Harvey? New pic:They're safe, warm & dry! @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/T6RDVl9ggZRemember the heartbreaking pic of Tx Sr Citizens stuck in chest deep water in #Harvey? New pic:They're safe, warm & dry! @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/T6RDVl9ggZ
Tim McIntosh, whose mother-in-law owns the facility in Dickinson, Texas, told the AP that the National Guard rescued 20 people on Sunday, hours after he shared his photo on social media.Tim McIntosh, whose mother-in-law owns the facility in Dickinson, Texas, told the AP that the National Guard rescued 20 people on Sunday, hours after he shared his photo on social media.
“They are all doing fine,” said McIntosh, who said the owner of the facility had made arrangements to evacuate the residents, but had kept them in place at the direction of local authorities. “The nursing home had to follow protocol because it’s a big ordeal to evacuate it. These ladies are on wheelchairs and most of them on oxygen.”“They are all doing fine,” said McIntosh, who said the owner of the facility had made arrangements to evacuate the residents, but had kept them in place at the direction of local authorities. “The nursing home had to follow protocol because it’s a big ordeal to evacuate it. These ladies are on wheelchairs and most of them on oxygen.”