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| Version 24 | Version 25 |
|---|---|
| Tropical storm Harvey: Houston mayor imposes curfew – live | Tropical storm Harvey: Houston mayor imposes curfew – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.55am BST | |
| 02:55 | |
| This view over Buffalo bayou from Memorial Heights in Houston – before and after Harvey struck – shows how the flooding has transformed the landscape. | |
| See more before and after images here: | |
| 2.45am BST | |
| 02:45 | |
| More than 13,000 people have now been rescued by local and federal agencies in the Houston area and across southeastern Texas. | |
| Some 4,100 of those were rescued by Houston police, chief Art Acevedo said; and more than 3,000 were picked up by Houston firefighters. | |
| Harris county’s sheriff’s office – which covers Houston – said its agents had also rescued around 3,000 people, and the US coast guard has helped around the same number. | |
| 2.30am BST | 2.30am BST |
| 02:30 | 02:30 |
| Trump to revisit Texas on Saturday | Trump to revisit Texas on Saturday |
| White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after the president’s visit to Texas, said Donald Trump would be returning to the storm-hit zone at the weekend: | White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after the president’s visit to Texas, said Donald Trump would be returning to the storm-hit zone at the weekend: |
| We are definitely going back to Texas on Saturday and possibly Louisiana on Saturday as well, depending on the weather conditions there. | We are definitely going back to Texas on Saturday and possibly Louisiana on Saturday as well, depending on the weather conditions there. |
| We’ll go back into a different part of the state, to have a chance to see some of the areas we were not able to today. | We’ll go back into a different part of the state, to have a chance to see some of the areas we were not able to today. |
| One of the priorities the president had was making sure that his trip didn’t disrupt any of the recovery or search and rescue efforts. | One of the priorities the president had was making sure that his trip didn’t disrupt any of the recovery or search and rescue efforts. |
| Huckabee Sanders said the intention was to visit part of the state that was “hit really hard” and “having the chance to meet with some of the evacuees as well”. | Huckabee Sanders said the intention was to visit part of the state that was “hit really hard” and “having the chance to meet with some of the evacuees as well”. |
| On emergency funding for flood relief, she said: | On emergency funding for flood relief, she said: |
| I think that is something they are still working through, she said, what the best mechanism is possible … | I think that is something they are still working through, she said, what the best mechanism is possible … |
| We are still working through that process, I think the first thing is to determine how much they need, what the need is, and then develop the best process and plan for them. | We are still working through that process, I think the first thing is to determine how much they need, what the need is, and then develop the best process and plan for them. |
| The guiding principle here is taking care of Americans, that’s the very core of who we are. | The guiding principle here is taking care of Americans, that’s the very core of who we are. |
| Addressing Trump’s earlier statement that “probably there has never been anything so expensive in our country’s history”, she said: | Addressing Trump’s earlier statement that “probably there has never been anything so expensive in our country’s history”, she said: |
| I think some of the preliminary reports indicate that it could be … We still don’t know the full extent of the damage, but we certainly note it’s record level of flooding, an epic storm, and there is certainly going to be a lot of rebuilding and recovery. | I think some of the preliminary reports indicate that it could be … We still don’t know the full extent of the damage, but we certainly note it’s record level of flooding, an epic storm, and there is certainly going to be a lot of rebuilding and recovery. |
| It [is] potentially the largest we’ve ever seen. | It [is] potentially the largest we’ve ever seen. |
| After criticism from some – including former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer – that Trump had failed to express empathy for those affected by the storm, Huckabee Sanders said Trump and the first lady had been moved by images from the disaster zone: | After criticism from some – including former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer – that Trump had failed to express empathy for those affected by the storm, Huckabee Sanders said Trump and the first lady had been moved by images from the disaster zone: |
| The number one thing after talking to him just a little bit ago that he wanted to reenforce from today was that this is all about people, making sure that we are taking care of the people of Texas – that is his number one priority. | The number one thing after talking to him just a little bit ago that he wanted to reenforce from today was that this is all about people, making sure that we are taking care of the people of Texas – that is his number one priority. |
| 2.11am BST | 2.11am BST |
| 02:11 | 02:11 |
| The forecast for Wednesday promises some relief for Texas – if not for its neighbours – Associated Press reports: | The forecast for Wednesday promises some relief for Texas – if not for its neighbours – Associated Press reports: |
| Harvey will spend much of Wednesday dropping rain on Louisiana before moving on to Arkansas, Tennessee and parts of Missouri, which could also see flooding. | Harvey will spend much of Wednesday dropping rain on Louisiana before moving on to Arkansas, Tennessee and parts of Missouri, which could also see flooding. |
| When Harvey returns to land on Wednesday, “it’s the end of the beginning,” National Hurricane Center meteorologist Dennis Feltgen said. | When Harvey returns to land on Wednesday, “it’s the end of the beginning,” National Hurricane Center meteorologist Dennis Feltgen said. |
| But Feltgen cautioned: “We’re not done with this. There’s still an awful lot of real estate and a lot of people who are going to feel the impacts of the storm.” | But Feltgen cautioned: “We’re not done with this. There’s still an awful lot of real estate and a lot of people who are going to feel the impacts of the storm.” |
| The National Weather Service predicted less of an inch of rain for Houston on Wednesday and only a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms for Thursday. | The National Weather Service predicted less of an inch of rain for Houston on Wednesday and only a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms for Thursday. |
| Friday’s forecast called for mostly sunny skies. | Friday’s forecast called for mostly sunny skies. |
| 1.56am BST | 1.56am BST |
| 01:56 | 01:56 |
| How to help | How to help |
| Joanna Walters | 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”. | 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.” | 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. | 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: | Many agencies and charities are involved in relief efforts, and some of the main participants are mentioned in this article: |
| 1.46am BST | 1.46am BST |
| 01:46 | 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”. | 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. | The curfew will still run until 5am. |
| 1.42am BST | 1.42am BST |
| 01:42 | 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. | 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. | 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 | 1.32am BST |
| 01:32 | 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: | 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. | 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 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 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. | 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. |