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Next version
| Version 49 | Version 50 |
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| Tropical storm Harvey: thousands await rescue amid 'catastrophic' flooding – live updates | Tropical storm Harvey: thousands await rescue amid 'catastrophic' flooding – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.59am BST | |
| 07:59 | |
| Tuesday looks unlikely to bring respite from the battering effects of Tropical Storm Harvey, with as much as 50 inches (127cm) of extra rainfall forecast to hit some areas. | |
| A statement from the National Hurricane Center has warned of “ongoing catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” spreading from Texas to Louisiana – with effects also felt in Mississippi and Alabama: | |
| Ongoing catastrophic and life-threatening flooding will continue across southeastern Texas. Additional rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 inches are expected across the upper Texas coast, with isolated storm totals as high as 50 inches. | |
| Please heed the advice of local officials. Do not attempt to travel if you are in a safe place, and do not drive into flooded roadways. | |
| The flood threat has spread farther east into Louisiana. Additional rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are expected in southwestern Louisiana, with rainfall amounts of 5 to 15 inches expected in south-central Louisiana. | |
| Rainfall amounts of 5 to 15 inches are expected in south-central Louisiana and coastal Mississippi and Alabama. | |
| While tropical storm warnings have been extended eastward along the coast of Louisiana and a storm surge watch has been issued, the impacts of winds and storm surge are expected to be secondary compared to that of the rains. | |
| 7.40am BST | |
| 07:40 | |
| The White House has confirmed some details of the president’s visit to the Harvey-hit region on Tuesday. | |
| As is conventional with such visits, Donald Trump will not visit the most stricken areas, including Houston, as it could interfere with rescue and relief efforts. | |
| Instead Trump, along with first lady Melania Trump, will head to Corpus Christi, Texas, where they will receive a briefing on the relief operation, before leaving for Austin. There, they will tour the emergency operations centre. | |
| 7.29am BST | 7.29am BST |
| 07:29 | 07:29 |
| In Fort Bend – which is expected to face heavy flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday – officials have had to issue a warning after some residents were reportedly told, wrongly, that they were obliged to evacuate their homes overnight. | In Fort Bend – which is expected to face heavy flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday – officials have had to issue a warning after some residents were reportedly told, wrongly, that they were obliged to evacuate their homes overnight. |
| Some neighbourhoods in the county, including Sienna Plantation and Pecan Grove, have been issued with mandatory evacuation orders. Others are being advised to stay where they are, particularly during nighttime hours, when some rescue efforts have been suspended. | Some neighbourhoods in the county, including Sienna Plantation and Pecan Grove, have been issued with mandatory evacuation orders. Others are being advised to stay where they are, particularly during nighttime hours, when some rescue efforts have been suspended. |
| 7.03am BST | 7.03am BST |
| 07:03 | 07:03 |
| While the death toll remains unclear, police have said they believe a man has died while trying to swim through floods late on Monday. | While the death toll remains unclear, police have said they believe a man has died while trying to swim through floods late on Monday. |
| A statement from the precinct read: | A statement from the precinct read: |
| Just before 11.30pm, a male was seen by multiple witnesses attempting to swim across the flood waters located at Spring Park ridge and SH99 (Grand Parkway). | Just before 11.30pm, a male was seen by multiple witnesses attempting to swim across the flood waters located at Spring Park ridge and SH99 (Grand Parkway). |
| The white male was approximately 60-70 years in age; his identity is unknown at this time. | The white male was approximately 60-70 years in age; his identity is unknown at this time. |
| The male entered the water and witnesses observed the male go into distress. Witnesses attempted to assist the male but were unsuccessful. | The male entered the water and witnesses observed the male go into distress. Witnesses attempted to assist the male but were unsuccessful. |
| At the time the male is presumed to be deceased. Due to the exceptionally fast-moving flood waters, rescue crews were unable to deploy. | At the time the male is presumed to be deceased. Due to the exceptionally fast-moving flood waters, rescue crews were unable to deploy. |
| This takes the presumed death toll to nine. | This takes the presumed death toll to nine. |
| 6.49am BST | 6.49am BST |
| 06:49 | 06:49 |
| These sliding graphics show two parts of Houston transformed by still-rising flooding: | These sliding graphics show two parts of Houston transformed by still-rising flooding: |
| 6.38am BST | 6.38am BST |
| 06:38 | 06:38 |
| Six members of one family are believed to have died after their vehicle became trapped in floodwater. Virginia Saldivar said the passengers – whose bodies have not been found – included her parents-in-law, along with four children aged between six and 16. | Six members of one family are believed to have died after their vehicle became trapped in floodwater. Virginia Saldivar said the passengers – whose bodies have not been found – included her parents-in-law, along with four children aged between six and 16. |
| Saldivar told the Associated Press that her husband’s brother, Samuel Saldivar, had driven to his parents’ home on Sunday when it began to flood: | Saldivar told the Associated Press that her husband’s brother, Samuel Saldivar, had driven to his parents’ home on Sunday when it began to flood: |
| She said at some point on their way to safety, a strong current lifted the van and pitched it forward into Greens Bayou. Samuel Saldivar climbed out of the driver-side window but the van’s sliding door was partially submerged and would not open. He yelled at the children to try to escape from the back, but they were unable to. | She said at some point on their way to safety, a strong current lifted the van and pitched it forward into Greens Bayou. Samuel Saldivar climbed out of the driver-side window but the van’s sliding door was partially submerged and would not open. He yelled at the children to try to escape from the back, but they were unable to. |
| Virginia Saldivar said her brother-in-law could only watch as the van disappeared under water: | Virginia Saldivar said her brother-in-law could only watch as the van disappeared under water: |
| Sam calls my husband and tells him: ‘They’re gone.’ That’s when my husband dropped the phone and started screaming.” | Sam calls my husband and tells him: ‘They’re gone.’ That’s when my husband dropped the phone and started screaming.” |
| Virginia Saldivar believes her husband’s parents, 84-year-old Manuel Saldivar and Belia Saldivar, 81, drowned along with their great-grandchildren Daisy, Xavier, Dominic and Devy. | Virginia Saldivar believes her husband’s parents, 84-year-old Manuel Saldivar and Belia Saldivar, 81, drowned along with their great-grandchildren Daisy, Xavier, Dominic and Devy. |
| Saldivar said the coast guard had told her family they could not search for the bodies until the water recedes. | Saldivar said the coast guard had told her family they could not search for the bodies until the water recedes. |
| The children’s mother had left the four with their great-grandparents, she said. The widespread flooding prevented her from getting home until Sunday afternoon. | The children’s mother had left the four with their great-grandparents, she said. The widespread flooding prevented her from getting home until Sunday afternoon. |
| Saldivar said she has not yet told the children’s father, her son, who she says is in prison for violating parole. | Saldivar said she has not yet told the children’s father, her son, who she says is in prison for violating parole. |
| 6.03am BST | 6.03am BST |
| 06:03 | 06:03 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| Former Hurricane-turned-Tropical storm Harvey is regaining strength and continues to batter southeastern Texas, with life-threatening floods surging through Houston. | Former Hurricane-turned-Tropical storm Harvey is regaining strength and continues to batter southeastern Texas, with life-threatening floods surging through Houston. |
| With many homes flooded, thousands of people have sought emergency shelter from the wind and rains, with officials estimating that 30,000 residents are likely to need shelter. Houston’s main hub, the George R Brown convention center, has already exceeded its bed capacity of 5,000. | With many homes flooded, thousands of people have sought emergency shelter from the wind and rains, with officials estimating that 30,000 residents are likely to need shelter. Houston’s main hub, the George R Brown convention center, has already exceeded its bed capacity of 5,000. |
| An unknown number of people remain stranded in their homes awaiting rescue. Police, military and coast guard, along with volunteer teams, have taken to boats to try to reach those trapped, with some working through the night. | An unknown number of people remain stranded in their homes awaiting rescue. Police, military and coast guard, along with volunteer teams, have taken to boats to try to reach those trapped, with some working through the night. |
| At least eight people are reported to have been killed in the storm, including a family reportedly killed when their van was swept away in floodwater. | At least eight people are reported to have been killed in the storm, including a family reportedly killed when their van was swept away in floodwater. |
| There is expected to be no let-up in the storm’s intensity throughout Tuesday, with up to 20 inches of further rain forecast for the stricken region. The storm is also due to lash southern Louisiana, where a federal state of emergency has been declared. | There is expected to be no let-up in the storm’s intensity throughout Tuesday, with up to 20 inches of further rain forecast for the stricken region. The storm is also due to lash southern Louisiana, where a federal state of emergency has been declared. |
| President Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, will visit Texas on Tuesday, stopping off at Corpus Christi and Austin to witness the relief efforts. | President Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, will visit Texas on Tuesday, stopping off at Corpus Christi and Austin to witness the relief efforts. |
| Trump earlier defended his decision to pardon former sheriff Joe Arpaio during the hurricane on Friday, saying: | Trump earlier defended his 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. | I assumed the ratings would be far higher than they would be normally. |
| The flood damage is expected to cost tens of billions and there are concerns for the health of people caught up in muddy floodwaters. | The flood damage is expected to cost tens of billions and there are concerns for the health of people caught up in muddy floodwaters. |
| On Monday, Texas governor Greg Abbott activated the entire state National Guard, tripling the number of active personnel from 4,000 to 12,000. | On Monday, Texas governor Greg Abbott activated the entire state National Guard, tripling the number of active personnel from 4,000 to 12,000. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.07am BST | at 6.07am BST |
| 5.45am BST | 5.45am BST |
| 05:45 | 05:45 |
| Adam Gabbatt | Adam Gabbatt |
| The sheer scale of Harvey – some parts of Texas may experience a year’s worth of rainfall in just over a week – has undoubtedly contributed to the extent of the flooding. The storm has become wedged between two weather systems, one trying to push it north, the other trying to push it south, which means it is likely to continue to pour on Houston for days. | The sheer scale of Harvey – some parts of Texas may experience a year’s worth of rainfall in just over a week – has undoubtedly contributed to the extent of the flooding. The storm has become wedged between two weather systems, one trying to push it north, the other trying to push it south, which means it is likely to continue to pour on Houston for days. |
| And with that rain the storm is essentially feeding itself, according to the Scientific American. Hurricanes normally pull in moisture from the ocean. But Harvey has dumped so much on Houston that at this point it is reabsorbing that water from the flooded city and hurling it back down. | And with that rain the storm is essentially feeding itself, according to the Scientific American. Hurricanes normally pull in moisture from the ocean. But Harvey has dumped so much on Houston that at this point it is reabsorbing that water from the flooded city and hurling it back down. |
| Experts say that even less volatile storms in the future will cause widespread damage to Houston. | Experts say that even less volatile storms in the future will cause widespread damage to Houston. |
| The city’s impermeable roads and sidewalks are built on the coastal prairie and wetlands of the western Gulf, and its topography is flat, with no run-off area for excess water. At the same time, the changing climate means these heavy storms are becoming more frequent. | The city’s impermeable roads and sidewalks are built on the coastal prairie and wetlands of the western Gulf, and its topography is flat, with no run-off area for excess water. At the same time, the changing climate means these heavy storms are becoming more frequent. |
| 5.28am BST | 5.28am BST |
| 05:28 | 05:28 |
| Reports from Houston say an estimated 7,000 people have so far sought shelter at the George R. Brown convention center, which has a capacity of 5,000 beds for the night. | Reports from Houston say an estimated 7,000 people have so far sought shelter at the George R. Brown convention center, which has a capacity of 5,000 beds for the night. |
| Many will sleep on the floor or in chairs in the makeshift camp tonight. | Many will sleep on the floor or in chairs in the makeshift camp tonight. |
| 5.04am BST | 5.04am BST |
| 05:04 | 05:04 |
| Tom Dart | Tom Dart |
| At least 10 cities in the Houston suburbs have instituted nighttime curfews. | At least 10 cities in the Houston suburbs have instituted nighttime curfews. |
| Katy, nearly 30 miles (48km) west of downtown Houston along Interstate 10, added its own dawn-till-dusk curfew on Monday “to protect our citizens and property from unauthorised individuals entering our city”, mayor Chuck Brawner said in a statement. | Katy, nearly 30 miles (48km) west of downtown Houston along Interstate 10, added its own dawn-till-dusk curfew on Monday “to protect our citizens and property from unauthorised individuals entering our city”, mayor Chuck Brawner said in a statement. |
| Houston police chief Art Acevedo told reporters on Monday that four suspected looters had been arrested and his department is on the lookout for people who may “move in from around other states and even other cities in other regions to loot and create problems”. He added: | Houston police chief Art Acevedo told reporters on Monday that four suspected looters had been arrested and his department is on the lookout for people who may “move in from around other states and even other cities in other regions to loot and create problems”. He added: |
| If you try to commit a criminal offence or especially try to take advantage of our citizens that have already been victimised enough by Mother Nature, you can be assured you’ll be arrested. | If you try to commit a criminal offence or especially try to take advantage of our citizens that have already been victimised enough by Mother Nature, you can be assured you’ll be arrested. |
| 4.55am BST | 4.55am BST |
| 04:55 | 04:55 |
| At almost 11pm local time, search and rescue efforts are continuing in the dark: | At almost 11pm local time, search and rescue efforts are continuing in the dark: |
| Police and coast guard teams have each rescued around 3,000 people, officials said. | Police and coast guard teams have each rescued around 3,000 people, officials said. |
| Those still trapped in their homes have been urged to hang sheets or towels from their windows so they can be spotted by rescue teams. | Those still trapped in their homes have been urged to hang sheets or towels from their windows so they can be spotted by rescue teams. |
| 4.43am BST | 4.43am BST |
| 04:43 | 04:43 |
| We will not ask for immigration status or papers from anyone at any shelter. This rumor is FALSE! | We will not ask for immigration status or papers from anyone at any shelter. This rumor is FALSE! |
| 4.28am BST | 4.28am BST |
| 04:28 | 04:28 |
| Col Steven Metze, public affairs officer, Texas military department, told CNN that rescuers would not be taking a break as night fell: | Col Steven Metze, public affairs officer, Texas military department, told CNN that rescuers would not be taking a break as night fell: |
| The men and women of the Texas military are working round the clock and they’re going to keep working. We’ve got to plan to keep it going 24/7. | The men and women of the Texas military are working round the clock and they’re going to keep working. We’ve got to plan to keep it going 24/7. |
| Officials do not know how many people still need to be rescued, Metze said: | Officials do not know how many people still need to be rescued, Metze said: |
| We’re still getting plenty of calls … those have not slowed down, so I know we still have a lot of work to do. | We’re still getting plenty of calls … those have not slowed down, so I know we still have a lot of work to do. |
| The biggest issue right now is just time: getting to everyone we need to reach. | The biggest issue right now is just time: getting to everyone we need to reach. |
| The Texas military would be bringing in more people, lifting the numbers engaged in rescue work from 3,000 to 12,000. Fourteen helicopters were originally deployed; that is now raised to 22, and will be 46 by Tuesday. | The Texas military would be bringing in more people, lifting the numbers engaged in rescue work from 3,000 to 12,000. Fourteen helicopters were originally deployed; that is now raised to 22, and will be 46 by Tuesday. |