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Houston reels as Storm Harvey bears down on Louisiana Houston floods: "Worst not yet over," says Texas governor
(about 3 hours later)
Tropical Storm Harvey has made landfall again in the US state of Louisiana after hovering in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said that "the worst is not yet over" for the south-east of the US state, after devastating Tropical Storm Harvey.
Flash-flood warnings have been issued for the state's south. He said rain continues to fall and flooding in certain areas may last another week.
More than 20 people are reported dead, and large parts of the city of Houston are under water.
The storm has now moved on to neighbouring Louisiana, where flash-flood warnings have been issued.
Governor Abbott said Texas has carried out more than 8,500 rescues, and more than 32,000 people remain in shelters throughout the state.
Another 10,000 members of the National Guard are said to be on their way, joining the 14,000 already deployed to tackle the disaster.
The storm, which previously reached hurricane status, has dumped record rainfall in the region.The storm, which previously reached hurricane status, has dumped record rainfall in the region.
Large parts of the Texas city of Houston are underwater, and more than 20 people are reported dead. Thousands of people there have fled their homes. However, meteorologists say much drier weather is forecast for Texas in the days ahead.
However, forecasters say the weather is now improving in Texas. Sun is predicted for Houston in the days ahead, potentially allowing respite and a chance to tackle the damage. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the storm landed in the south-west corner of the state, around Cameron, in the early hours of Wednesday. It is predicted to travel in a north-easterly direction, weakening as it goes.
Houston, America's fourth most populous city, has implemented a night-time curfew to prevent looting while homes remain abandoned. Authorities and volunteers are also still battling to rescue stranded people and provide shelter for those made homeless by the rising waters.
The curfew runs from 00:00-05:00 local time (05:00-10:00 GMT) for an indefinite period. Relief volunteers, first responders, and those going to and from work are exempt.
In Louisiana, the storm landed in the south-west corner of the state, around Cameron, in the early hours of Wednesday. It is predicted to travel in a north-easterly direction, weakening as it goes.
The National Weather Service said heavy rainfall was expected from Louisiana to Kentucky over the next three days.The National Weather Service said heavy rainfall was expected from Louisiana to Kentucky over the next three days.
Flash-flood warnings remain in effect for parts of southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. New Orleans - which was devastated by 2005's Hurricane Katrina - is not in the storm's direct path, according to forecasters. Flash-flood warnings remain in effect for parts of southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
Houston Police confirmed on Tuesday that veteran officer Sergeant Steve Perez is among those who have been killed. He was caught in a flooded underpass while driving to join the rescue efforts on Sunday. New Orleans - which was devastated by 2005's Hurricane Katrina - is not in the storm's direct path, according to forecasters.
A family of six - two great-grandparents and four children - have also reportedly drowned after trying to flee the city's floods in a van. Among them was 16-year-old Devy Saldivar, who posted an anxious Facebook message about the extreme weather on Sunday: "No sleep & anxiety, please let this pass sooner." In Houston, which is the country's fourth most populous city, a night-time curfew has been implemented to prevent looting, while homes remain abandoned.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the deaths from the Saldivar family, but relatives - including an uncle who was driving and escaped - have spoken to the media. The curfew runs from 00:00-05:00 local time (05:00-10:00 GMT) for an indefinite period. Relief volunteers, first responders, and those going to and from work are exempt.
Authorities and volunteers are also still battling to rescue stranded people.
The sheriff's office in Harris County confirmed a family of six - two great-grandparents and four children - drowned while trying to flee the city's floods. Among them was 16-year-old Devy Saldivar, who posted an anxious Facebook message about the extreme weather on Sunday: "No sleep & anxiety, please let this pass sooner."
"Our worst fears have been realised," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, breaking the news.
The driver, the son of the elderly couple, was able to escape and was found clinging to a tree, screaming for help, he said.
Authorities are reminding people not to drive - many of the casualties happened on the roads as people underestimated the power of the water. On social media, officials are repeating their mantra "Turn around, don't drown" to stop people heading out into difficult situations.Authorities are reminding people not to drive - many of the casualties happened on the roads as people underestimated the power of the water. On social media, officials are repeating their mantra "Turn around, don't drown" to stop people heading out into difficult situations.
President Donald Trump visited Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage brought by Harvey.President Donald Trump visited Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage brought by Harvey.
He arrived in Corpus Christi, where Hurricane Harvey first made landfall on Friday, with First Lady Melania Trump.He arrived in Corpus Christi, where Hurricane Harvey first made landfall on Friday, with First Lady Melania Trump.
Mr Trump said he wanted the relief effort to stand as an example of how to respond to a storm.Mr Trump said he wanted the relief effort to stand as an example of how to respond to a storm.
"We want to do it better than ever before."We want to do it better than ever before.
"This storm, it's epic what happened. But you know what, it happened in Texas and Texas can handle anything.""This storm, it's epic what happened. But you know what, it happened in Texas and Texas can handle anything."
He will not be visiting Houston. The White House said he did not want his visit to disrupt the emergency response.He will not be visiting Houston. The White House said he did not want his visit to disrupt the emergency response.
Mr Trump has declared a federal state of emergency in both Texas and Louisiana. The move releases emergency government funding and other assistance.Mr Trump has declared a federal state of emergency in both Texas and Louisiana. The move releases emergency government funding and other assistance.
Harvey was the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years when it made landfall at Corpus Christi, 220 miles (354km) south-west of Houston. For several days the storm continued dumping huge amounts of rain over already flood-hit areas. Harvey was the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years when it first made landfall at Corpus Christi, 220 miles (354km) south-west of Houston, late on Friday.
The rainfall in Texas set a new record for the continental US, the National Weather Service said on Tuesday. A rain gauge in Cedar Bayou recorded nearly 52in of rain since Friday. Since then, the Cedar Bayou area has recorded a rainfall of nearly 52in (132cm), which is a continental US record, according to the National Weather Service.
Are you affected by Tropical Storm Harvey? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you affected by Tropical Storm Harvey? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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