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| Harvey Live Updates: More Rain and Rescues as Storm Lashes Texas | Harvey Live Updates: More Rain and Rescues as Storm Lashes Texas |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The rains from Tropical Storm Harvey pounded the Houston region on Monday, stranding thousands of residents — many on their rooftops — who frantically waited to be rescued from waters that are expected to keep rising for days. | |
| Many residents turned to social media to get help: “My sister needs help!!!” read one tweet, followed by an address. Officials scrambled to reach those residents, urging private boat owners to pitch in with an enormous and frantic rescue. And with nearly two feet of rain still expected, the authorities worried the worst was yet to come. Here’s the latest: | Many residents turned to social media to get help: “My sister needs help!!!” read one tweet, followed by an address. Officials scrambled to reach those residents, urging private boat owners to pitch in with an enormous and frantic rescue. And with nearly two feet of rain still expected, the authorities worried the worst was yet to come. Here’s the latest: |
| • With record floodwaters, more than 450,000 people are likely to seek federal aid in recovering from Harvey, the storm that has battered the Gulf Coast for days, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said on Monday. | • With record floodwaters, more than 450,000 people are likely to seek federal aid in recovering from Harvey, the storm that has battered the Gulf Coast for days, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said on Monday. |
| • The agency has estimated that about 30,000 people will seek emergency shelter, and that federal aid will be needed for years. Read more on the storm here. | • The agency has estimated that about 30,000 people will seek emergency shelter, and that federal aid will be needed for years. Read more on the storm here. |
| • The Houston region now looks like an inland sea dotted by islands, with floodwaters inundating roads, vehicles, and even bridges and buildings. Thousands of people have been rescued from flooded homes and cars. | • The Houston region now looks like an inland sea dotted by islands, with floodwaters inundating roads, vehicles, and even bridges and buildings. Thousands of people have been rescued from flooded homes and cars. |
| • On Monday, local officials said the death toll had risen to 10 from five. | • On Monday, local officials said the death toll had risen to 10 from five. |
| “In Harris County, we have six deaths that are potentially flood related,” said Tricia Bentley, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, which serves as both a medical examiner’s office and crime lab. Officials also reported one death each in Rockport and La Marque, and two in Montgomery County. | “In Harris County, we have six deaths that are potentially flood related,” said Tricia Bentley, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, which serves as both a medical examiner’s office and crime lab. Officials also reported one death each in Rockport and La Marque, and two in Montgomery County. |
| • More than 30 inches of rain has fallen on parts of the Houston area since Thursday, the National Weather Service reported, causing catastrophic flooding that officials have called the worst in the state’s history. | |
| • Harvey turned back out to sea on Monday, with the center of the storm reaching the Gulf of Mexico south of Houston, the National Hurricane Center reported. It was expected to turn to the northeast, along the Gulf coast toward far eastern Texas and southwest Louisiana. | |
| • Times journalists chronicled the unfolding disaster: We’re sharing a collection of the most powerful photographs and a guide to our ongoing coverage. Alan Blinder witnessed dramatic rescues by the National Guard. He and Sheri Fink looked at hospitals inundated by patients and water. Julie Turkewitz captured the terror felt by Houston’s homeless. And Jack Healy visited a San Antonio evacuation center where people were desperate for news from home. | • Times journalists chronicled the unfolding disaster: We’re sharing a collection of the most powerful photographs and a guide to our ongoing coverage. Alan Blinder witnessed dramatic rescues by the National Guard. He and Sheri Fink looked at hospitals inundated by patients and water. Julie Turkewitz captured the terror felt by Houston’s homeless. And Jack Healy visited a San Antonio evacuation center where people were desperate for news from home. |
| • Follow Times correspondents tracking the storm on Twitter: @mannyNYT, @alanblinder, @julieturkewitz and @ckrausss in Houston, @jackhealyNYT and @David_Philipps in San Antonio, and @jswatz in New Orleans. Some highlights are here. | |
| • Are you in an affected area? If you are safe, and are able to, please share your photos and videos with us. | • Are you in an affected area? If you are safe, and are able to, please share your photos and videos with us. |
| The Army Corps of Engineers on Monday began releasing water from flood-control reservoirs, which is likely to worsen flooding in parts of Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. | The Army Corps of Engineers on Monday began releasing water from flood-control reservoirs, which is likely to worsen flooding in parts of Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. |
| The Buffalo Bayou, the major waterway flowing west to east through the heart of the city, is already at record-high flood levels, and was projected to remain that way for days, even without the release from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs at the western edge of Houston. | The Buffalo Bayou, the major waterway flowing west to east through the heart of the city, is already at record-high flood levels, and was projected to remain that way for days, even without the release from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs at the western edge of Houston. |
| “As they increase the water and it comes down, the water level along Buffalo Bayou, in all probability, it will increase,” Mr. Turner said at a news conference. People who were not in a crisis state yesterday may find themselves in a crisis state today,” he added. | “As they increase the water and it comes down, the water level along Buffalo Bayou, in all probability, it will increase,” Mr. Turner said at a news conference. People who were not in a crisis state yesterday may find themselves in a crisis state today,” he added. |
| With the reservoirs at capacity, the Army Corps began releasing water from them before dawn. Mr. Turner said the release was 5,000 cubic feet per second, and would increase to 8,000. | With the reservoirs at capacity, the Army Corps began releasing water from them before dawn. Mr. Turner said the release was 5,000 cubic feet per second, and would increase to 8,000. |
| Rescues of people stranded by floodwaters continued on Monday throughout southeastern Texas, and Gov. Greg Abbott said the state was sending hundreds more boats and high-clearance vehicles to the region to aid those efforts. | Rescues of people stranded by floodwaters continued on Monday throughout southeastern Texas, and Gov. Greg Abbott said the state was sending hundreds more boats and high-clearance vehicles to the region to aid those efforts. |
| Governor Abbott activated the entire Texas National Guard, except those already deployed or preparing to deploy on other missions, to aid in storm rescue and recovery. He said the order will increase the number of troops involved to 12,000 from about 3,000. | |
| The city of Dallas is opening a “mega-shelter” to house up to 5,000 evacuees from the battered Gulf Coast, and Mayor Mike Rawlings said on Monday the North Texas city has been asked to brace for “numbers that could be up in the tens of thousands.” In Fort Worth, 30 miles west of Dallas, Mayor Betsy Price said city officials are also preparing to activate shelters once the state requests assistance. | The city of Dallas is opening a “mega-shelter” to house up to 5,000 evacuees from the battered Gulf Coast, and Mayor Mike Rawlings said on Monday the North Texas city has been asked to brace for “numbers that could be up in the tens of thousands.” In Fort Worth, 30 miles west of Dallas, Mayor Betsy Price said city officials are also preparing to activate shelters once the state requests assistance. |
| In San Antonio, empty warehouses were being readied as shelters for 4,100 evacuees. | |
| Dallas officials said the city began making arrangements to convert its convention center into a giant shelter after a request from state officials. The city is already operating shelters at three local recreation centers, and Mayor Rawlings said city officials would consider other sites in Dallas and the surrounding county. | Dallas officials said the city began making arrangements to convert its convention center into a giant shelter after a request from state officials. The city is already operating shelters at three local recreation centers, and Mayor Rawlings said city officials would consider other sites in Dallas and the surrounding county. |
| — JULIE TURKEWITZ in Houston and DAVID MONTGOMERY in Austin. | — JULIE TURKEWITZ in Houston and DAVID MONTGOMERY in Austin. |
| The storm turned eastward early Monday, and it appeared it would stay to the east of Harris County. Forecasters called this good news, but warned that the situation could change. The heaviest bands of rainfall shifted to the northeast, battering places like Beaumont, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana. | The storm turned eastward early Monday, and it appeared it would stay to the east of Harris County. Forecasters called this good news, but warned that the situation could change. The heaviest bands of rainfall shifted to the northeast, battering places like Beaumont, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana. |
| The Harris County flood control district said the situation remained “extremely dangerous and life-threatening,” and that more intense flooding was on the way. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders remained in place in neighborhoods throughout the region. | The Harris County flood control district said the situation remained “extremely dangerous and life-threatening,” and that more intense flooding was on the way. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders remained in place in neighborhoods throughout the region. |
| Facing criticism, Mr. Turner, the Houston mayor, on Sunday defended his decision not to order an evacuation of the entire city. | Facing criticism, Mr. Turner, the Houston mayor, on Sunday defended his decision not to order an evacuation of the entire city. |
| On Monday, Governor Abbott declined to question that call. “The evacuation issue is something that can’t be second-guessed at this time, because we have to focus our priority on saving lives,” the governor said. | |
| At a news conference with President Sauli Niinisto of Finland, President Trump said he had spoken with Governor Abbott. He said he expected to receive formal requests for federal aid “very soon,” and predicted that Congress would approve them “very, very quickly.” | |
| “I think you’re going to be in fantastic shape,” Mr. Trump said. He marveled at the size of the storm, saying: “Nobody’s ever seen anything like it. I’ve heard the word ‘epic.’ I’ve heard ‘historic.’ That’s what it is.” Read more about what Trump said here. | “I think you’re going to be in fantastic shape,” Mr. Trump said. He marveled at the size of the storm, saying: “Nobody’s ever seen anything like it. I’ve heard the word ‘epic.’ I’ve heard ‘historic.’ That’s what it is.” Read more about what Trump said here. |
| On Monday, a Stripes gas station in southern Houston that had planned to stay open during the storm — “We’re OPEN” read a giant hastily scrawled sign across the front of the store — had shuttered. A smaller sign on the glass door said the station was out of gas and closed until further notice. | On Monday, a Stripes gas station in southern Houston that had planned to stay open during the storm — “We’re OPEN” read a giant hastily scrawled sign across the front of the store — had shuttered. A smaller sign on the glass door said the station was out of gas and closed until further notice. |
| And Carolyn Foreman stood alone by a gas pump, staring out at the nearby freeway, now so flooded with water that it reached the tops of stranded cars. Wind and rain whipped at nearby palm trees. | And Carolyn Foreman stood alone by a gas pump, staring out at the nearby freeway, now so flooded with water that it reached the tops of stranded cars. Wind and rain whipped at nearby palm trees. |
| Ms. Foreman had slept in that spot, in her Jeep, for the two last days. “I’m stranded right here,” she said, explaining that she was trying get to her mother’s house, to safety. “I’m 61 years old, I’ve never seen this before. I’ve been here in Houston all my life. I’ve never seen nothing like this before. And I’m afraid really. I’m afraid it might get worse.” A car pulled up and a woman hopped out, a stranger to Ms. Foreman, hoping to enter the store. | Ms. Foreman had slept in that spot, in her Jeep, for the two last days. “I’m stranded right here,” she said, explaining that she was trying get to her mother’s house, to safety. “I’m 61 years old, I’ve never seen this before. I’ve been here in Houston all my life. I’ve never seen nothing like this before. And I’m afraid really. I’m afraid it might get worse.” A car pulled up and a woman hopped out, a stranger to Ms. Foreman, hoping to enter the store. |
| Ms. Foreman evoked God as the sky darkened. A phone message to residents noted that a flash flood was coming. “I feel like he is trying to tell us something,” said Ms. Foreman. | Ms. Foreman evoked God as the sky darkened. A phone message to residents noted that a flash flood was coming. “I feel like he is trying to tell us something,” said Ms. Foreman. |
| The woman, Shaun Coleman, 37, jumped in. “Oh he is telling us something,” Ms. Coleman said. “God said we should all get together and unite. And be together, instead of going against each other every day.” | The woman, Shaun Coleman, 37, jumped in. “Oh he is telling us something,” Ms. Coleman said. “God said we should all get together and unite. And be together, instead of going against each other every day.” |
| Harvey so far has caused at least eight refineries in Texas to shut down. | Harvey so far has caused at least eight refineries in Texas to shut down. |
| The AAA said gasoline was selling for $2.37 a gallon on average across the country, four cents more than a week ago. | The AAA said gasoline was selling for $2.37 a gallon on average across the country, four cents more than a week ago. |
| Whether prices rise further depends on the damage ultimately sustained by refineries in the Texas Gulf Coast area, said Jeanette Casselano, an AAA spokeswoman. “The situation is still pretty fluid,” she said. | Whether prices rise further depends on the damage ultimately sustained by refineries in the Texas Gulf Coast area, said Jeanette Casselano, an AAA spokeswoman. “The situation is still pretty fluid,” she said. |
| The affected refineries represent about 12 percent of the nation’s refining capacity, according to a report by Goldman Sachs. | The affected refineries represent about 12 percent of the nation’s refining capacity, according to a report by Goldman Sachs. |
| Ms. Casselano noted that oil companies had ample stocks of oil and gasoline, which should limit the chances of immediate shortages. “Throughout the country we have high levels of supplies,” she said. “There’s a lot of gasoline in bulk storage in Houston, but right now you can’t get to it.” | Ms. Casselano noted that oil companies had ample stocks of oil and gasoline, which should limit the chances of immediate shortages. “Throughout the country we have high levels of supplies,” she said. “There’s a lot of gasoline in bulk storage in Houston, but right now you can’t get to it.” |
| The storm has shut down virtually all operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where several hundred travelers remain stranded. | The storm has shut down virtually all operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where several hundred travelers remain stranded. |
| The airstrips there were dry, but the roads surrounding the airport were underwater. A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said a total number of canceled flights was not yet available, though several hundred flights typically leave Houston each day. | The airstrips there were dry, but the roads surrounding the airport were underwater. A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said a total number of canceled flights was not yet available, though several hundred flights typically leave Houston each day. |
| The wider impact to air travel across the country has been limited so far because few airlines other than United, Spirit Air and Southwest use Houston as a hub. Texas’ other major airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International, is essentially operating under normal conditions. Skies in Dallas were overcast on Monday, but no rain was falling. | The wider impact to air travel across the country has been limited so far because few airlines other than United, Spirit Air and Southwest use Houston as a hub. Texas’ other major airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International, is essentially operating under normal conditions. Skies in Dallas were overcast on Monday, but no rain was falling. |
| Airports in Austin and San Antonio were also open and so far unaffected by Harvey. The airport in Corpus Christi reopened Monday morning. | Airports in Austin and San Antonio were also open and so far unaffected by Harvey. The airport in Corpus Christi reopened Monday morning. |
| Donations to the Red Cross for those affected by Harvey can be made online or text HARVEY to 90999. | Donations to the Red Cross for those affected by Harvey can be made online or text HARVEY to 90999. |
| Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online. | Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online. |
| Catholic Charities is accepting donations online or text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate. | Catholic Charities is accepting donations online or text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate. |
| Airbnb is waiving all service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1. | Airbnb is waiving all service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1. |
| If you’d like to help feed people in the region, websites for the Houston Food Bank, the Galveston County Food Bank and the Corpus Christi Food Bank take online donations. | If you’d like to help feed people in the region, websites for the Houston Food Bank, the Galveston County Food Bank and the Corpus Christi Food Bank take online donations. |