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Tropical storm Harvey: Trump to survey Texas damage as more rain forecast - live Tropical storm Harvey: Trump arrives in Texas to survey damage – live
(35 minutes later)
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The US National Weather Service tracks the heights of rivers and designates the point at which they are considered to be flooding. Measurements for Texas on Tuesday morning showed levels in some areas around Houston to be 25ft above “flood” level.
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Houston officials say they're aware of a report of a police officer drowning in his patrol car as he was driving to work.
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Trump keeps it brief and general in first remarks to press and Texas officials in Corpus Christie.
We want to do it better than ever before. We want to be looked at in five years and in ten years from now as this is the way to do it. This was of epic proportion, no one has ever seen anything like this and I just want to say that working with the governor [Abbott] and his entire team has been an honor for us.”
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Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, is on his way to greet Trump on the tarmac in Corpus Christie.
We want him to see and understand the enormous challenges that Texans have faced, and the need for the aid that he is providing. He’s a champion of Texas and champion of helping us rebuild and I think we’ll hear that commitment.”We want him to see and understand the enormous challenges that Texans have faced, and the need for the aid that he is providing. He’s a champion of Texas and champion of helping us rebuild and I think we’ll hear that commitment.”
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Donald and Melania Trump just touched down moments ago in Corpus Christie. He’s expected to address the press shortly.Donald and Melania Trump just touched down moments ago in Corpus Christie. He’s expected to address the press shortly.
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Mayor Sylvester Turner suggests that people who behave criminally or disruptively will be “ejected” from shelters.
We expect everyone to be orderly and well behaved. We are not going to tolerate any activity that’s criminal in nature or that is disruptive.We expect everyone to be orderly and well behaved. We are not going to tolerate any activity that’s criminal in nature or that is disruptive.
If there’s anything that makes it even uncomfortable in terms of any sort criminal activity or bad behavior... those people will not be welcome at the shelters.”If there’s anything that makes it even uncomfortable in terms of any sort criminal activity or bad behavior... those people will not be welcome at the shelters.”
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More from the Houston presser:More from the Houston presser:
The city’s north-east water plant continues to operate despite being inundated yesterday and the water “is safe” according to officials.The city’s north-east water plant continues to operate despite being inundated yesterday and the water “is safe” according to officials.
Officials confirmed that the Addicks dam has reached its capacity and is seeing overflow, and that Barker dam will likely begin to overflow today, though not as severely.Officials confirmed that the Addicks dam has reached its capacity and is seeing overflow, and that Barker dam will likely begin to overflow today, though not as severely.
100,000 customers remain without electric service in the city. “Over the last 24 hours our crews restored service to over 240,000 customers but... as fast as we get them on, we’re losing customers,” officials said.100,000 customers remain without electric service in the city. “Over the last 24 hours our crews restored service to over 240,000 customers but... as fast as we get them on, we’re losing customers,” officials said.
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Houston police chief Art Acevedo now addressing reporters and focuses in on handful of looters and armed robbers taking advantage of the chaos. “This is Texas” he said, promising no leniency for criminal behavior.Houston police chief Art Acevedo now addressing reporters and focuses in on handful of looters and armed robbers taking advantage of the chaos. “This is Texas” he said, promising no leniency for criminal behavior.
Acevedo said his officer are sleeping in their stations and “will not be going home” until they are out of response mode, likely for another few days.Acevedo said his officer are sleeping in their stations and “will not be going home” until they are out of response mode, likely for another few days.
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Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, is now giving a morning update.Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, is now giving a morning update.
“Yesterday the focus was on rescue and today the focus will continue to be about rescue,” he said.“Yesterday the focus was on rescue and today the focus will continue to be about rescue,” he said.
Some of Turner’s first remarks:Some of Turner’s first remarks:
The city has requested food, supplies, cots, etc from Fema for an additional 10,000 individuals.The city has requested food, supplies, cots, etc from Fema for an additional 10,000 individuals.
The city will hold its city council meeting scheduled for Wednesday.The city will hold its city council meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The city has identified additional “megashelter” location sites that will be announced soon.The city has identified additional “megashelter” location sites that will be announced soon.
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In a press conference from Washington DC, Maj Gen James Witham, director of domestic operations for the National Guard bureau said the unusually long duration of Harvey’s direct impact is changing the way his team approaches their efforts.In a press conference from Washington DC, Maj Gen James Witham, director of domestic operations for the National Guard bureau said the unusually long duration of Harvey’s direct impact is changing the way his team approaches their efforts.
Normally we plan response for that first 72 hours, 96 hours, weather passes and then we’re really into a recovery mode. We will be doing live saving and life sustaining efforts for a much longer period due to the nature of this storm.”Normally we plan response for that first 72 hours, 96 hours, weather passes and then we’re really into a recovery mode. We will be doing live saving and life sustaining efforts for a much longer period due to the nature of this storm.”
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It’s the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Gulf Coast, and as Harvey tracks back north-east, southern Louisiana is at risk once again.It’s the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Gulf Coast, and as Harvey tracks back north-east, southern Louisiana is at risk once again.
We're monitoring the developing heavy rain threat across south Louisiana late tonight into early Tues morning with @NWSWPC. #LAwx pic.twitter.com/eMvlzUPSX0We're monitoring the developing heavy rain threat across south Louisiana late tonight into early Tues morning with @NWSWPC. #LAwx pic.twitter.com/eMvlzUPSX0
Much of the state’s southern territory is at or below sea level and riddled with swamps, bayous and wetlands, meaning that even if Harvey doesn’t drop the same kind of unprecedented torrential rainfall here as it did in Houston, it could still cause catastrophic damage.Much of the state’s southern territory is at or below sea level and riddled with swamps, bayous and wetlands, meaning that even if Harvey doesn’t drop the same kind of unprecedented torrential rainfall here as it did in Houston, it could still cause catastrophic damage.
Tensions are extra high in New Orleans, given not only the anniversary of Katrina, but the fact that the city, which relies on pumps to remove excess rainwater from its streets, has been facing chronic mechanical failures of that system all summer. 16 of 121 pumps were down as of Monday and city workers are working frantically to restore service yesterday in preparation for Harvey’s impact, officials saidTensions are extra high in New Orleans, given not only the anniversary of Katrina, but the fact that the city, which relies on pumps to remove excess rainwater from its streets, has been facing chronic mechanical failures of that system all summer. 16 of 121 pumps were down as of Monday and city workers are working frantically to restore service yesterday in preparation for Harvey’s impact, officials said
Local schools and other city facilities are closed as officials advise residents to make preparations.Local schools and other city facilities are closed as officials advise residents to make preparations.
I am recommending that everyone stay home tom. out of an abundance of caution. Please stay off of the roads tomorrow.I am recommending that everyone stay home tom. out of an abundance of caution. Please stay off of the roads tomorrow.
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In Montgomery County, which is north of Houston, officials there are warning residents that they don’t have enough barricades to block off all the roads that are impassible.In Montgomery County, which is north of Houston, officials there are warning residents that they don’t have enough barricades to block off all the roads that are impassible.
We are out of high water barricades. Do not take it for granted that if there isn’t a barricade that the road is safe to drive over. Motorists should use extreme caution when driving as some flooded or damaged roads may not be barricaded until we can secure more barricades. Flowing water on roadways can easily sweep a vehicle off the road. If you can stay at home, please do, do not drive unless you absolutely must. Please do not go out sightseeing. Turn around Don’t Drown.”We are out of high water barricades. Do not take it for granted that if there isn’t a barricade that the road is safe to drive over. Motorists should use extreme caution when driving as some flooded or damaged roads may not be barricaded until we can secure more barricades. Flowing water on roadways can easily sweep a vehicle off the road. If you can stay at home, please do, do not drive unless you absolutely must. Please do not go out sightseeing. Turn around Don’t Drown.”
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A troubling update from Brazoria County which sits due south of Houston. Most of the area has been under a mandatory evacuation order since Sunday.A troubling update from Brazoria County which sits due south of Houston. Most of the area has been under a mandatory evacuation order since Sunday.
pic.twitter.com/sUTyXBzer9pic.twitter.com/sUTyXBzer9
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Photo taken by a deputy of the Williamson County, Texas Sheriff’s office who traveled to Houston to assist local efforts.Photo taken by a deputy of the Williamson County, Texas Sheriff’s office who traveled to Houston to assist local efforts.
The total loss our team is seeing is indescribable. Pitching tents on roofs. pic.twitter.com/ptz9j0zjMNThe total loss our team is seeing is indescribable. Pitching tents on roofs. pic.twitter.com/ptz9j0zjMN
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Jamiles Lartey here, taking over from Nadia.Jamiles Lartey here, taking over from Nadia.
Flood control officials in Houston are reporting that water levels behind the Addicks dam have reached the edge of the wall, and floodwater is beginning to spill over. Addicks is one of two dammed Houston reservoirs that officials have feared could begin spilling into Buffalo Bayou, the river that runs through the city, further inundating the surrounding areas.Flood control officials in Houston are reporting that water levels behind the Addicks dam have reached the edge of the wall, and floodwater is beginning to spill over. Addicks is one of two dammed Houston reservoirs that officials have feared could begin spilling into Buffalo Bayou, the river that runs through the city, further inundating the surrounding areas.
Spillover doesn’t necessarily mean that the dam will be compromised, however, officials began releasing water from behind the dam yesterday to ease pressure. The more water that sits behind a dam, the more likely the chance of a catastrophic breach.Spillover doesn’t necessarily mean that the dam will be compromised, however, officials began releasing water from behind the dam yesterday to ease pressure. The more water that sits behind a dam, the more likely the chance of a catastrophic breach.
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Donald Trump has tweeted that he is on his way to Texas. The president is due to visit Corpus Christi and Austin.Donald Trump has tweeted that he is on his way to Texas. The president is due to visit Corpus Christi and Austin.
Leaving now for Texas!Leaving now for Texas!