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| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| Tropical storm Harvey: number of confirmed deaths rises to 23 – live | Tropical storm Harvey: number of confirmed deaths rises to 23 – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.59am BST | |
| 01:59 | |
| The US National Hurricane Center has warned that Mexico’s Pacific coast is under threat from the coming tropical storm Lidia, Associated Press reports: | |
| Authorities warned the Baja California peninsula to prepare for high winds, heavy rain and a dangerous storm surge along a shore that includes the twin resort cities of Los Cabos. | |
| A new tropical storm, Irma, also formed far out in the eastern Atlantic but forecasters said it did not pose an immediate threat to land. | |
| The National Hurricane Center said Lidia was expected to approach the southern tip of Baja California by late Thursday. It said the storm was likely to strengthen some more and there was a possibility it “still has the opportunity to become a hurricane before landfall”. | |
| Lidia had maximum sustained winds of 40mph (65kph) on Wednesday evening. Its centre was about 180 miles (290km) south-southeast of the peninsula’s tip Wednesday evening and it was heading north-northwest at 7mph (11kph). | |
| The hurricane center said the storm was dumping heavy rains over southwestern Mexico and was expected to produce total accumulations of as much as 8 to 12 inches (20-30cm) across much of Baja California Sur state and western Jalisco, threatening flash floods and landslides. | |
| 1.37am BST | 1.37am BST |
| 01:37 | 01:37 |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog. | This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog. |
| Former Hurricane Harvey is now former tropical storm Harvey, as the National Hurricane Center officially downgrades it to a tropical depression. | Former Hurricane Harvey is now former tropical storm Harvey, as the National Hurricane Center officially downgrades it to a tropical depression. |
| Harvey currently sits 10 miles (16km) southwest of Alexandria, Louisiana, and its maximum wind speeds have dropped to 35mph (56kph). | Harvey currently sits 10 miles (16km) southwest of Alexandria, Louisiana, and its maximum wind speeds have dropped to 35mph (56kph). |
| But while the heavy rains are ceasing, the effects of Harvey continue to bring devastation: catastrophic flooding is still in evidence across Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur and southwestern Louisiana. | But while the heavy rains are ceasing, the effects of Harvey continue to bring devastation: catastrophic flooding is still in evidence across Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur and southwestern Louisiana. |
| We’ll continue to have fresh developments on Harvey and the relief efforts on the live blog. | We’ll continue to have fresh developments on Harvey and the relief efforts on the live blog. |
| 1.09am BST | 1.09am BST |
| 01:09 | 01:09 |
| The latest | The latest |
| Tropical storm Harvey has just been downgraded to a tropical depression, but the heavy rains, catastrophic flooding and rescue efforts have continued. | Tropical storm Harvey has just been downgraded to a tropical depression, but the heavy rains, catastrophic flooding and rescue efforts have continued. |
| The total confirmed death toll has increased to 23, with ongoing reports of people drowning and swept away by floods across the region. | The total confirmed death toll has increased to 23, with ongoing reports of people drowning and swept away by floods across the region. |
| Harvey has spawned at least one tornado in Mississippi, damaging homes and toppling trees. | Harvey has spawned at least one tornado in Mississippi, damaging homes and toppling trees. |
| More than 48,700 homes have been affected by flooding and other damage in Texas, and one analysis suggests $24bn worth of property has been impacted. | More than 48,700 homes have been affected by flooding and other damage in Texas, and one analysis suggests $24bn worth of property has been impacted. |
| Texas senator Ted Cruz and New Jersey governor Chris Christie publicly feuded on Wednesday over disaster funding. | Texas senator Ted Cruz and New Jersey governor Chris Christie publicly feuded on Wednesday over disaster funding. |
| Republicans in the House are considering cutting almost $1bn from disaster accounts to help finance Donald Trump’s proposed Mexico border wall. | Republicans in the House are considering cutting almost $1bn from disaster accounts to help finance Donald Trump’s proposed Mexico border wall. |
| Texas’ governor said the area affected by Harvey is greater than Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy and that the federal funding should be “well in excess” of those disasters. | Texas’ governor said the area affected by Harvey is greater than Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy and that the federal funding should be “well in excess” of those disasters. |
| The US government has issued emergency waivers allowing more than a dozen states to ignore certain clean-air requirements for gasoline to ensure a proper fuel supply. | The US government has issued emergency waivers allowing more than a dozen states to ignore certain clean-air requirements for gasoline to ensure a proper fuel supply. |
| A chemical plant near Houston might explode, and the CEO has said there’s nothing the manufacturer can do to prevent it. | A chemical plant near Houston might explode, and the CEO has said there’s nothing the manufacturer can do to prevent it. |
| There have already been 210,000 registrations to Fema for individual assistance, and $37m has been approved. | There have already been 210,000 registrations to Fema for individual assistance, and $37m has been approved. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.13am BST | at 1.13am BST |
| 12.48am BST | 12.48am BST |
| 00:48 | 00:48 |
| Tom Dart | Tom Dart |
| State transportation officials are working to try to prevent water from bursting on to Interstate 10 around 20 miles west of downtown Houston. | State transportation officials are working to try to prevent water from bursting on to Interstate 10 around 20 miles west of downtown Houston. |
| One of the world’s widest and busiest freeways in this location, I-10 is a vital link between the western and eastern regions of the city, especially this week with many other routes closed. It connects Houston to San Antonio in the west and New Orleans in the east. | One of the world’s widest and busiest freeways in this location, I-10 is a vital link between the western and eastern regions of the city, especially this week with many other routes closed. It connects Houston to San Antonio in the west and New Orleans in the east. |
| But it passes between the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and Buffalo Bayou and its frontage roads are submerged. Workers are installing a temporary barrier next to an existing wall on the westbound side. The freeway was closed today around Beaumont, 80 miles from central Houston, which was hit hard overnight by Harvey as the storm moved eastwards. | But it passes between the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and Buffalo Bayou and its frontage roads are submerged. Workers are installing a temporary barrier next to an existing wall on the westbound side. The freeway was closed today around Beaumont, 80 miles from central Houston, which was hit hard overnight by Harvey as the storm moved eastwards. |
| Here are some images from earlier: | Here are some images from earlier: |
| Harvey turned part of Interstate 10 into a roaring river — with actual waves https://t.co/cZdd7h3j73 | Harvey turned part of Interstate 10 into a roaring river — with actual waves https://t.co/cZdd7h3j73 |
| 12.32am BST | 12.32am BST |
| 00:32 | 00:32 |
| A Reuters analysis has found that at least $24 billion worth of property has been impacted by Harvey flooding in Harris and Galveston counties in Texas. The analysis is based on satellite imagery and property data. From Reuters: | A Reuters analysis has found that at least $24 billion worth of property has been impacted by Harvey flooding in Harris and Galveston counties in Texas. The analysis is based on satellite imagery and property data. From Reuters: |
| The number represents market value, not storm damage, and is but a small fraction of the storm’s reach, as satellite images of the flooding are incomplete. Satellite imagery compiled by researchers at the University of Colorado shows flooding across 234 square miles (600 square kilometers) of Harris County and 51 square miles (132 sq km) of Galveston County, about one-eighth of each county’s land area. | The number represents market value, not storm damage, and is but a small fraction of the storm’s reach, as satellite images of the flooding are incomplete. Satellite imagery compiled by researchers at the University of Colorado shows flooding across 234 square miles (600 square kilometers) of Harris County and 51 square miles (132 sq km) of Galveston County, about one-eighth of each county’s land area. |
| Exclusive: @Reuters analysis shows at least $23 billion worth of property affected by flooding from #Harvey. https://t.co/gSLhwrEfuO pic.twitter.com/xG0FXoiH3M | Exclusive: @Reuters analysis shows at least $23 billion worth of property affected by flooding from #Harvey. https://t.co/gSLhwrEfuO pic.twitter.com/xG0FXoiH3M |
| 12.21am BST | 12.21am BST |
| 00:21 | 00:21 |
| Aerial images of Harvey devastation | Aerial images of Harvey devastation |
| Below is a collection of aerial photos and videos capturing some of the devastation caused by Harvey as of Wednesday evening. | Below is a collection of aerial photos and videos capturing some of the devastation caused by Harvey as of Wednesday evening. |
| Above the flood: Video shows aerial view of Harvey's devastation. Read more: https://t.co/C6NtIxhIHe pic.twitter.com/iS4MDy43yr | Above the flood: Video shows aerial view of Harvey's devastation. Read more: https://t.co/C6NtIxhIHe pic.twitter.com/iS4MDy43yr |
| US Coast Guard aerial photo provides a wider perspective of the extent of #Harvey flooding in Texas.https://t.co/MsZuA0vcpv pic.twitter.com/oAwANEJswH | US Coast Guard aerial photo provides a wider perspective of the extent of #Harvey flooding in Texas.https://t.co/MsZuA0vcpv pic.twitter.com/oAwANEJswH |
| the aerial shots of houston after harvey are overwhelmingly heartbreaking https://t.co/kC0va48bRN | the aerial shots of houston after harvey are overwhelmingly heartbreaking https://t.co/kC0va48bRN |
| Before and after aerial imagery from @NOAA provides a bird's-eye view of the damage caused by #Harvey at landfall: https://t.co/8kiDyFGMEB pic.twitter.com/Z79Pbi4Cd8 | Before and after aerial imagery from @NOAA provides a bird's-eye view of the damage caused by #Harvey at landfall: https://t.co/8kiDyFGMEB pic.twitter.com/Z79Pbi4Cd8 |
| Aerial photos provide a bird's-eye view of the destruction left behind in Texas by #Harvey. https://t.co/gwPrLmhmcX pic.twitter.com/zGz2hJreIC | Aerial photos provide a bird's-eye view of the destruction left behind in Texas by #Harvey. https://t.co/gwPrLmhmcX pic.twitter.com/zGz2hJreIC |
| 11.39pm BST | 11.39pm BST |
| 23:39 | 23:39 |
| Harvey could soon be downgraded | Harvey could soon be downgraded |
| Forecasters are now predicting that Harvey will be downgraded to a “tropical depression” late Wednesday or early Thursday and that the storm will completely dissipate within three to four days, the AP reports. | Forecasters are now predicting that Harvey will be downgraded to a “tropical depression” late Wednesday or early Thursday and that the storm will completely dissipate within three to four days, the AP reports. |
| Harvey may be downgraded to tropical depression https://t.co/GCAbIbXUZJ pic.twitter.com/3e0f7cyODF | Harvey may be downgraded to tropical depression https://t.co/GCAbIbXUZJ pic.twitter.com/3e0f7cyODF |
| Winds were 40 mph (65 km/h) as of Wednesday afternoon, and the National Hurricane Center is predicting that Harvey will drop 4 to 8 inches of rain from the Louisiana-Texas border northeastward to Tennessee and Kentucky through Friday, according to the AP. Flooding is possible, and some areas could get up to a foot of rain. | Winds were 40 mph (65 km/h) as of Wednesday afternoon, and the National Hurricane Center is predicting that Harvey will drop 4 to 8 inches of rain from the Louisiana-Texas border northeastward to Tennessee and Kentucky through Friday, according to the AP. Flooding is possible, and some areas could get up to a foot of rain. |
| 11.18pm BST | 11.18pm BST |
| 23:18 | 23:18 |
| Arkema, an industrial chemical manufacturer, has warned that its plant struck by storm Harvey near Houston could explode and that there is “no way to prevent” it. CEO Rich Rowe said in a press conference on Wednesday: | Arkema, an industrial chemical manufacturer, has warned that its plant struck by storm Harvey near Houston could explode and that there is “no way to prevent” it. CEO Rich Rowe said in a press conference on Wednesday: |
| There is no way to prevent an explosion or fire. ... It’s impossible to predict with 100 percent confidence a situation like this. No one anticipated six feet of water. | There is no way to prevent an explosion or fire. ... It’s impossible to predict with 100 percent confidence a situation like this. No one anticipated six feet of water. |
| According to the Houston Chronicle, the facility lost power from its primary supply and backup generators late Monday night. While the company moved highly volatile organic peroxides into back-up containers to keep them cool, if the chemicals get too hot, they can cause explosions or fires, the paper reported. | According to the Houston Chronicle, the facility lost power from its primary supply and backup generators late Monday night. While the company moved highly volatile organic peroxides into back-up containers to keep them cool, if the chemicals get too hot, they can cause explosions or fires, the paper reported. |
| It’s unclear how big an explosion might be, and officials have not disclosed the amount of chemicals on site. Employees and nearby residents have been evacuated: | It’s unclear how big an explosion might be, and officials have not disclosed the amount of chemicals on site. Employees and nearby residents have been evacuated: |
| #Update on #Arkema Facility in Crosby, TX from Harris County Officials. pic.twitter.com/SgWMgWTgrz | #Update on #Arkema Facility in Crosby, TX from Harris County Officials. pic.twitter.com/SgWMgWTgrz |
| 10.45pm BST | 10.45pm BST |
| 22:45 | 22:45 |
| Married couple confirmed dead | Married couple confirmed dead |
| The number of confirmed deaths has increased to 23 as of late Wednesday afternoon. Authorities have reported that a married couple who drove a pickup truck into floodwaters drowned after a current from a nearby creek swept the vehicle away, according to the AP. | The number of confirmed deaths has increased to 23 as of late Wednesday afternoon. Authorities have reported that a married couple who drove a pickup truck into floodwaters drowned after a current from a nearby creek swept the vehicle away, according to the AP. |
| Update: 2 drowned near Fulshear when they drove down Pool Hill Rd. Current swept vehicle. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/if4l8j5SOx | Update: 2 drowned near Fulshear when they drove down Pool Hill Rd. Current swept vehicle. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/if4l8j5SOx |
| Chad Norvell, with the Fort Bend county sheriff’s office, said the couple was on the phone with 911 seeking help when the call dropped. Officers later found the truck completely submerged, the AP reported. | Chad Norvell, with the Fort Bend county sheriff’s office, said the couple was on the phone with 911 seeking help when the call dropped. Officers later found the truck completely submerged, the AP reported. |
| Norvell identified the couple as Donald Rogers, 65, and Rochelle Rogers, 58. They lived in a rural part of the county southwest of Houston and were headed to a relative’s house. | Norvell identified the couple as Donald Rogers, 65, and Rochelle Rogers, 58. They lived in a rural part of the county southwest of Houston and were headed to a relative’s house. |
| 10.36pm BST | 10.36pm BST |
| 22:36 | 22:36 |
| Tom Dart | Tom Dart |
| It’s possible that as many as 100,000 Houston-area homes could be flood damaged due to Harvey. Asked if the scale of the damage could reach that level at a press conference, Jeff Lindner of the Harris County Flood Control District said: | It’s possible that as many as 100,000 Houston-area homes could be flood damaged due to Harvey. Asked if the scale of the damage could reach that level at a press conference, Jeff Lindner of the Harris County Flood Control District said: |
| Right now we don’t have any hardcore estimates of the number of homes that have been damaged, but that figure would not be surprising to me ... 100,000 is certainly not out of the question.” | Right now we don’t have any hardcore estimates of the number of homes that have been damaged, but that figure would not be surprising to me ... 100,000 is certainly not out of the question.” |
| Linder added that problems would continue in neighborhoods around the Barker and Addicks dams. He said that places that have not yet flooded are unlikely to, but water levels may rise again in some parts that were draining, and inundated areas may have to cope with enduring floods as water discharges from the reservoirs continue. | Linder added that problems would continue in neighborhoods around the Barker and Addicks dams. He said that places that have not yet flooded are unlikely to, but water levels may rise again in some parts that were draining, and inundated areas may have to cope with enduring floods as water discharges from the reservoirs continue. |