CATASTROPHIC FLOODING HITS HOUSTON

HOUSTON, Texas, United States – Flooding of immense proportion has hit Houston following torrential rain as Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas.

According to officials Hurricane Harvey has caused “catastrophic flooding” in the city and across southeast Texas.

“This event is unprecedented and all impacts are unknown and beyond anything experienced,” the National Weather Service (NWS) has said, even as heavy rain continued into the afternoon.

According to the NWS, “ongoing catastrophic and life threatening-flooding will continue across Southeastern Texas. Additional rainfal accumulations of 15 to 25 inches are expected, with isolated storm totals as high as 50 inches through Friday, Do not attempt to travel if you are in a safe place and do not drive into flooded roads”, the NWS has said.

There are reports that people were still evacuating their homes but NWS has requested that flooding victims should go to their rooftops to avoid being trapped by the rushing waters.
“This is a life-threatening situation,” said Michael Palmer, lead meteorologist at the Weather Channel. Houston officials said they have received more than 2,000 calls for rescue since the storm made landfall, Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a press conference Sunday.

“We have had an unprecedented amount of water. I don’t think I need to tell anyone at this point that this is a very, very serious and unprecedented storm,” Turner said, adding that “the safest place is for you to be in your home,” he said.American Red Cross Opens Shelters in Houston

Mayor Sylvester Turner has asked the American Red Cross to open two shelters to ensure the safety of those in the community facing possible widespread damage due to Tropical Storm Harvey.

“Opening shelters for Houstonians is the next step in calm care for our city as we face the prospect of several days of heavy rain,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “We want to assure people who live in flood prone areas, as well our most vulnerable residents, that resources will be available if they need them.

“With the experience of the American Red Cross on our side, we will continue to muster every available resource to protect all residents as much as possible from this very unpredictable threat.”