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| Version 22 | Version 23 |
|---|---|
| Tropical storm Harvey: Houston mayor imposes curfew – live | Tropical storm Harvey: Houston mayor imposes curfew – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.56am BST | |
| 01:56 | |
| How to help | |
| Joanna Walters | |
| A number of Americans both close to Texas and far away from it would like to help those suffering in the wake of catastrophic tropical storm Harvey. The US government has warned people to be careful when choosing recipients for donations and to be cautious of potential charity scams or email hacks and “malicious cyber activity”. | |
| The Federal Trade Commission has issued advice for the public under the topic “wise giving in the wake of Hurricane Harvey”. Their tips include: “Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate.” | |
| At least one online scam has already been exposed when a false phone number was published purporting to connect people to the National Guard, and was shared widely on social media. The National Guard itself issued a warning on Twitter. | |
| Many agencies and charities are involved in relief efforts, and some of the main participants are mentioned in this article: | |
| 1.46am BST | |
| 01:46 | |
| In a swift tweak, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner now says the curfew will begin at midnight, rather than 10pm, “to allow volunteers and others to do their great work”. | |
| The curfew will still run until 5am. | |
| 1.42am BST | |
| 01:42 | |
| At least 15 people are confirmed to have died in the storm, including police sergeant Steve Perez; Ruben Jordan, a retired high school coach; and 83-year-old Ola Mae Crooks. | |
| Harris county has now confirmed that Alexander Kwoksum Sung, who was 64, is among the dead. He drowned at a Houston clock repair business on Sunday, and his body was found on Monday. | |
| 1.32am BST | |
| 01:32 | |
| Here’s more from Houston mayor Sylvester Turner on that city-wide curfew – clarifying that those seeking shelter are exempted from the restrictions: | |
| Imposing curfew from 10 pm to 5 am to stop any property crimes against evacuated homes in city limits. | |
| Curfew was used after Hurricane Ike. Prevented burglaries, looting. | |
| Curfew exempts flood relief volunteers, those seeking shelter, first responders, and those going to and from work. | |
| Curfew in force only to prevent potential criminal acts. | |
| 1.19am BST | 1.19am BST |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as evening falls in Texas. | This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog as evening falls in Texas. |
| It’s currently 7.15pm local time, and Houston mayor Sylvester Turner has announced a curfew running from 10pm to 5am “to ensure public safety”. Turner said there was no reason for residents to be on the streets between those hours. | It’s currently 7.15pm local time, and Houston mayor Sylvester Turner has announced a curfew running from 10pm to 5am “to ensure public safety”. Turner said there was no reason for residents to be on the streets between those hours. |
| There have been some reports of looting since Harvey hit. Police chief Art Acevedo said anyone outside during curfew hours would be stopped, questioned, searched and arrested. | There have been some reports of looting since Harvey hit. Police chief Art Acevedo said anyone outside during curfew hours would be stopped, questioned, searched and arrested. |
| 12.52am BST | 12.52am BST |
| 00:52 | 00:52 |
| The latest | The latest |
| Harvey now holds the US record for most total rainfall from a tropical system. | Harvey now holds the US record for most total rainfall from a tropical system. |
| At least 15 people have been confirmed dead, including a police sergeant, a retired high school coach and an 83-year-old woman. | At least 15 people have been confirmed dead, including a police sergeant, a retired high school coach and an 83-year-old woman. |
| Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump flew to Texas on Tuesday where the president said “What a crowd, what a turnout,” at one appearance. | Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump flew to Texas on Tuesday where the president said “What a crowd, what a turnout,” at one appearance. |
| The American Red Cross has reported that 17,000 people affected by the flooding were in emergency shelters in southern Texas by Tuesday afternoon. | The American Red Cross has reported that 17,000 people affected by the flooding were in emergency shelters in southern Texas by Tuesday afternoon. |
| People may have to remain in shelters for months, the Red Cross has warned. Experts say it could take years for Houston to fully recover. | People may have to remain in shelters for months, the Red Cross has warned. Experts say it could take years for Houston to fully recover. |
| Houston police officials said more than 3,400 people have been rescued from floodwaters. | Houston police officials said more than 3,400 people have been rescued from floodwaters. |
| Roughly 20 hospitals and 20 nursing homes have been evacuated in south-east Texas. | Roughly 20 hospitals and 20 nursing homes have been evacuated in south-east Texas. |
| An ExxonMobil storage tank roof has collapsed at the second-largest oil refinery in the country, raising concerns about the release of hazardous pollutants. | An ExxonMobil storage tank roof has collapsed at the second-largest oil refinery in the country, raising concerns about the release of hazardous pollutants. |
| A pair of reservoir dams that protect downtown Houston and a levee in a suburban subdivision began to overflow on Tuesday. | A pair of reservoir dams that protect downtown Houston and a levee in a suburban subdivision began to overflow on Tuesday. |
| Houston’s mayor said the city has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for food, cots and other supplies for an additional 10,000 individuals. | Houston’s mayor said the city has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for food, cots and other supplies for an additional 10,000 individuals. |
| Blue skies appeared late on Tuesday for the first time in days, and the National Weather Service in Houston forecasts less than an inch of rain for the city on Wednesday, a 30% chance of showers and storms on Thursday and a “mostly sunny” day on Friday. | Blue skies appeared late on Tuesday for the first time in days, and the National Weather Service in Houston forecasts less than an inch of rain for the city on Wednesday, a 30% chance of showers and storms on Thursday and a “mostly sunny” day on Friday. |
| 12.31am BST | 12.31am BST |
| 00:31 | 00:31 |
| An 83-year-old woman died after her vehicle was caught in a flood in Walker county, north of Houston, the Associated Press is reporting. State troopers checking on road conditions early Tuesday morning discovered Ola Mae Crooks’ vehicle and located her body. From the AP: | An 83-year-old woman died after her vehicle was caught in a flood in Walker county, north of Houston, the Associated Press is reporting. State troopers checking on road conditions early Tuesday morning discovered Ola Mae Crooks’ vehicle and located her body. From the AP: |
| Sgt Steven McNeil with the Texas Department of Public Safety tells the Huntsville Item newspaper that a preliminary investigation indicates Crooks drowned when her car was swept off a farm-to-market road at the San Jacinto River near her home. McNeil says it appears Crooks was trying to cross the bridge and the swift water carried her vehicle off the road and into the flood waters. | Sgt Steven McNeil with the Texas Department of Public Safety tells the Huntsville Item newspaper that a preliminary investigation indicates Crooks drowned when her car was swept off a farm-to-market road at the San Jacinto River near her home. McNeil says it appears Crooks was trying to cross the bridge and the swift water carried her vehicle off the road and into the flood waters. |
| 12.20am BST | 12.20am BST |
| 00:20 | 00:20 |
| The Clear Creek independent school district has reported the death of a longtime high school football coach, Ruben Jordan: | The Clear Creek independent school district has reported the death of a longtime high school football coach, Ruben Jordan: |
| Our hearts go out to the Jordan family with the news of Coach Jordan’s passing. He was a beloved coach, coworker and friend at Clear Creek High School, in CCISD and in the community for many years. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. | Our hearts go out to the Jordan family with the news of Coach Jordan’s passing. He was a beloved coach, coworker and friend at Clear Creek High School, in CCISD and in the community for many years. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. |
| Jordan had earlier been reported missing. He retired last summer after serving as Clear Creek’s head track coach for 18 seasons and 34 years total as a coach, according to the Houston Chronicle. | Jordan had earlier been reported missing. He retired last summer after serving as Clear Creek’s head track coach for 18 seasons and 34 years total as a coach, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
| Hurricane Harvey fatality: Ruben Jordan, longtime Clear Creek High School track coach. https://t.co/yZngOPkBF5 via @houstonchron | Hurricane Harvey fatality: Ruben Jordan, longtime Clear Creek High School track coach. https://t.co/yZngOPkBF5 via @houstonchron |
| 11.51pm BST | 11.51pm BST |
| 23:51 | 23:51 |
| Blue skies spotted | Blue skies spotted |
| Reporters in the Houston area are tweeting that they are seeing blue skies for the first time in days. | Reporters in the Houston area are tweeting that they are seeing blue skies for the first time in days. |
| I have never been so happy to see blue sky. #houwx pic.twitter.com/2j643WPf9h | I have never been so happy to see blue sky. #houwx pic.twitter.com/2j643WPf9h |
| And then there was blue sky... an incredible sight for a city with sore eyes. #khou11 #houstonstrong #HurricaneHarvy pic.twitter.com/DYT4dSBpUR | And then there was blue sky... an incredible sight for a city with sore eyes. #khou11 #houstonstrong #HurricaneHarvy pic.twitter.com/DYT4dSBpUR |
| Photo sent in by @TEGNA exec producer Amy Alvarez. Blue skies near her home in Katy. It's been a long time since we've seen that #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/h27PqmTS8I | Photo sent in by @TEGNA exec producer Amy Alvarez. Blue skies near her home in Katy. It's been a long time since we've seen that #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/h27PqmTS8I |
| FINALLY! Blue skies in Katy, TX. Also seeing the sun slowly peek out at @KPRC2 in SW Houston. #houstonflood pic.twitter.com/G9UAsPcg5I | FINALLY! Blue skies in Katy, TX. Also seeing the sun slowly peek out at @KPRC2 in SW Houston. #houstonflood pic.twitter.com/G9UAsPcg5I |
| Officials, however, have warned that flood levels are not expected to peak in south-east Texas until Wednesday and Thursday. | Officials, however, have warned that flood levels are not expected to peak in south-east Texas until Wednesday and Thursday. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.00am BST | at 12.00am BST |
| 11.18pm BST | 11.18pm BST |
| 23:18 | 23:18 |
| First lady Melania Trump has released a statement on Harvey saying she wants to offer support “not through just words, but also action”. Earlier in the day, the president’s campaign committee encouraged people to donate to charities, though it’s unclear if Trump has made any personal donations. Here’s the first lady’s full statement: | First lady Melania Trump has released a statement on Harvey saying she wants to offer support “not through just words, but also action”. Earlier in the day, the president’s campaign committee encouraged people to donate to charities, though it’s unclear if Trump has made any personal donations. Here’s the first lady’s full statement: |
| The effects of Hurricane Harvey will be felt in Texas, Louisiana, and other parts of the country for many months and years to come. So far, 1.7 million people are under orders to evacuate their homes, and, as the floodwater in Houston rises, sadly, so will the number of evacuees. | The effects of Hurricane Harvey will be felt in Texas, Louisiana, and other parts of the country for many months and years to come. So far, 1.7 million people are under orders to evacuate their homes, and, as the floodwater in Houston rises, sadly, so will the number of evacuees. |
| I want to be able to offer my help and support in the most productive way possible, not through just words, but also action. What I found to be the most profound during the visit was not only the strength and resilience of the people of Texas, but the compassion and sense of community that has taken over the State. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Texas and Louisiana. | I want to be able to offer my help and support in the most productive way possible, not through just words, but also action. What I found to be the most profound during the visit was not only the strength and resilience of the people of Texas, but the compassion and sense of community that has taken over the State. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Texas and Louisiana. |
| 10.46pm BST | 10.46pm BST |
| 22:46 | 22:46 |
| Harvey continues to break records, according to the National Weather Service: | Harvey continues to break records, according to the National Weather Service: |
| Update to the rainfall record: 51.88" has been reported at Cedar Bayou and FM-1942 as of 3:40 PM CDT today #houwx #glswx #bcswx #txwx pic.twitter.com/LJZsLJSqVm | Update to the rainfall record: 51.88" has been reported at Cedar Bayou and FM-1942 as of 3:40 PM CDT today #houwx #glswx #bcswx #txwx pic.twitter.com/LJZsLJSqVm |
| The Associated Press reports that the 51.88 inches of rains in Cedar Bayou, near Mont Belvieu, Texas, is a record for both the state and the continental US. It doesn’t, however, pass the 52 inches from tropical cyclone Hiki in Kauai, Hawaii, in 1950 (before Hawaii became a state). | The Associated Press reports that the 51.88 inches of rains in Cedar Bayou, near Mont Belvieu, Texas, is a record for both the state and the continental US. It doesn’t, however, pass the 52 inches from tropical cyclone Hiki in Kauai, Hawaii, in 1950 (before Hawaii became a state). |
| More than 355 square miles of Harris County is now covered by water, bigger than 15 times the size of Manhattan: | More than 355 square miles of Harris County is now covered by water, bigger than 15 times the size of Manhattan: |
| Now: More than 355 sq mi in Harris County covered by water. That's:-Bigger than 15x Manhattan-Bigger than 7x SF https://t.co/dFAPwclhEl | Now: More than 355 sq mi in Harris County covered by water. That's:-Bigger than 15x Manhattan-Bigger than 7x SF https://t.co/dFAPwclhEl |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.48pm BST | at 10.48pm BST |
| 10.31pm BST | 10.31pm BST |
| 22:31 | 22:31 |
| Sam Levin | Sam Levin |
| This is Sam Levin picking up the live blog as the rescues and flash flood warnings continue in Texas. The ongoing storm has caused a storage tank roof to collapse at ExxonMobil’s large oil refining and chemical campus, the Houston Chronicle is reporting. | This is Sam Levin picking up the live blog as the rescues and flash flood warnings continue in Texas. The ongoing storm has caused a storage tank roof to collapse at ExxonMobil’s large oil refining and chemical campus, the Houston Chronicle is reporting. |
| The damage in Baytown, a city just east of Houston, has affected the second-largest oil refinery in the country. The company acknowledged that the Harvey damage caused the release of hazardous pollutants in new regulatory filings with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, according to the Washington Post: | The damage in Baytown, a city just east of Houston, has affected the second-largest oil refinery in the country. The company acknowledged that the Harvey damage caused the release of hazardous pollutants in new regulatory filings with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, according to the Washington Post: |
| The company said in the filings that a floating roof covering a tank at ExxonMobil’s Baytown oil refinery sank in heavy rains, dipping below the surface of oil or other material stored there and causing unusually high emissions, especially of volatile organic compounds, a category of regulated chemicals. | The company said in the filings that a floating roof covering a tank at ExxonMobil’s Baytown oil refinery sank in heavy rains, dipping below the surface of oil or other material stored there and causing unusually high emissions, especially of volatile organic compounds, a category of regulated chemicals. |
| Harvey causes roof collapse at Exxon Mobil's Baytown complex. https://t.co/ymL0sSoNc7 | Harvey causes roof collapse at Exxon Mobil's Baytown complex. https://t.co/ymL0sSoNc7 |
| Dozens of offshore oil-and-gas platforms and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have been evacuated, according to the Associated Press. Out of 737 manned platforms in the gulf, 102 have evacuated workers, the US government said in a statement on Tuesday. | Dozens of offshore oil-and-gas platforms and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have been evacuated, according to the Associated Press. Out of 737 manned platforms in the gulf, 102 have evacuated workers, the US government said in a statement on Tuesday. |
| 9.57pm BST | 9.57pm BST |
| 21:57 | 21:57 |
| Some FAQs on the link between Harvey and climate change. | Some FAQs on the link between Harvey and climate change. |
| Is there a link between the storm and climate change? | Is there a link between the storm and climate change? |
| Almost certainly, according to a statement issued by the World Meteorological Organization on Tuesday. “Climate change means that when we do have an event like Harvey, the rainfall amounts are likely to be higher than they would have been otherwise,” the UN organisation’s spokeswoman Clare Nullis told a conference. | Almost certainly, according to a statement issued by the World Meteorological Organization on Tuesday. “Climate change means that when we do have an event like Harvey, the rainfall amounts are likely to be higher than they would have been otherwise,” the UN organisation’s spokeswoman Clare Nullis told a conference. |
| How did it make it worse? | How did it make it worse? |
| Warmer seas evaporate more quickly. Warmer air holds more water vapour. So, as temperatures rise around the world, the skies store more moisture and dump it more intensely. | Warmer seas evaporate more quickly. Warmer air holds more water vapour. So, as temperatures rise around the world, the skies store more moisture and dump it more intensely. |
| Is this speculation or science? | Is this speculation or science? |
| There is a proven link – known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation – that shows that for every half a degree celsius in warming, there is about a 3% increase in atmospheric moisture content. | There is a proven link – known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation – that shows that for every half a degree celsius in warming, there is about a 3% increase in atmospheric moisture content. |
| The damage has worsened as a result of the duration of the deluge. Harvey appears to have parked above Houston, pumping huge volumes of water from the sea to the sky to the city. Will stationary storms like this become more common in the future? | The damage has worsened as a result of the duration of the deluge. Harvey appears to have parked above Houston, pumping huge volumes of water from the sea to the sky to the city. Will stationary storms like this become more common in the future? |
| This is the single most important question posed by Harvey, according to Tim Palmer, Royal Society Research Professor at the University of Oxford. There is not yet a clear link between this and climate change. But scientists have observed a general slowdown of atmospheric summer circulation in the mid-latitudes as a result of strong warming in the Arctic. “This can make weather systems move less and stay longer in a given location – which can significantly enhance the impacts of rainfall extremes, just like we’re sadly witnessing in Houston,” noted Stefan Rahmstorf, a co-chair at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. | This is the single most important question posed by Harvey, according to Tim Palmer, Royal Society Research Professor at the University of Oxford. There is not yet a clear link between this and climate change. But scientists have observed a general slowdown of atmospheric summer circulation in the mid-latitudes as a result of strong warming in the Arctic. “This can make weather systems move less and stay longer in a given location – which can significantly enhance the impacts of rainfall extremes, just like we’re sadly witnessing in Houston,” noted Stefan Rahmstorf, a co-chair at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. |
| Read more of this Q&A here. | Read more of this Q&A here. |
| 9.50pm BST | 9.50pm BST |
| 21:50 | 21:50 |
| According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, Both Houston airports will reopen on Wednesday. | According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, Both Houston airports will reopen on Wednesday. |
| George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) Reopens 12:00 PM CDT | George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) Reopens 12:00 PM CDT |
| William P Hobby (HOU) Reopens 8:00 AM CDT. | William P Hobby (HOU) Reopens 8:00 AM CDT. |
| 9.23pm BST | 9.23pm BST |
| 21:23 | 21:23 |
| ICYMI: Houston-area fire ant colonies are assembling ad-hoc flotillas on the bodies of their dead comrades to survive the flooding. Another, almost comically unpleasant obstacle for residents to be mindful of as they trudge through floodwaters to higher ground. | ICYMI: Houston-area fire ant colonies are assembling ad-hoc flotillas on the bodies of their dead comrades to survive the flooding. Another, almost comically unpleasant obstacle for residents to be mindful of as they trudge through floodwaters to higher ground. |
| Pro tip: Don't touch the floating fire ant colonies. They will ruin your day. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/uwJd0rA7qB | Pro tip: Don't touch the floating fire ant colonies. They will ruin your day. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/uwJd0rA7qB |
| 9.18pm BST | 9.18pm BST |
| 21:18 | 21:18 |
| Texas Tough: In a press release Tuesday, The Harris County District Attorney has promised harsher penalties for criminals trying to take advantage of the flood. | Texas Tough: In a press release Tuesday, The Harris County District Attorney has promised harsher penalties for criminals trying to take advantage of the flood. |
| “People displaced or harmed in this storm are not going to be easy prey,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. | “People displaced or harmed in this storm are not going to be easy prey,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. |
| “Anyone who tries to take advantage of this storm to break into homes or businesses should know that they are going to feel the full weight of the law,” she said. “Offenders will be processed around the clock without delay.” | “Anyone who tries to take advantage of this storm to break into homes or businesses should know that they are going to feel the full weight of the law,” she said. “Offenders will be processed around the clock without delay.” |
| Under Texas law, punishment increases for crimes such as assault, robbery, burglary and theft if they are committed in a county that, like Harris county currently, has been declared a disaster area by the governor. | Under Texas law, punishment increases for crimes such as assault, robbery, burglary and theft if they are committed in a county that, like Harris county currently, has been declared a disaster area by the governor. |
| Burglarizing a home would normally bring a penalty of two to 20 years in prison, but currently brings five years to life. | Burglarizing a home would normally bring a penalty of two to 20 years in prison, but currently brings five years to life. |
| 8.38pm BST | 8.38pm BST |
| 20:38 | 20:38 |
| Houston police chief Art Acevedo confirmed that Houston police Sgt Steve Perez, a 34-year veteran of the department, died in his patrol car Monday night while trying to make it in to a station. | Houston police chief Art Acevedo confirmed that Houston police Sgt Steve Perez, a 34-year veteran of the department, died in his patrol car Monday night while trying to make it in to a station. |
| “Unfortunately in the darkness Sgt Perez drove into … the water and he died in a drowning-type event,” Acevedo said. A police dive team recovered his body this morning. | “Unfortunately in the darkness Sgt Perez drove into … the water and he died in a drowning-type event,” Acevedo said. A police dive team recovered his body this morning. |
| Acevedo became emotional as he recounted the search effort for Perez, and how his own dive team was aided by the civilian “Cajun Navy.” | Acevedo became emotional as he recounted the search effort for Perez, and how his own dive team was aided by the civilian “Cajun Navy.” |
| Acevedo called Perez “a sweet, gentle public servant,” and said that if yesterday had to be his day, “this is the way he would have wanted to go,” in service to the citizens of Houston. | Acevedo called Perez “a sweet, gentle public servant,” and said that if yesterday had to be his day, “this is the way he would have wanted to go,” in service to the citizens of Houston. |
| It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic in the line of duty death of Sergeant Steve Perez. pic.twitter.com/cHJxjnFgII | It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic in the line of duty death of Sergeant Steve Perez. pic.twitter.com/cHJxjnFgII |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.06pm BST | at 10.06pm BST |