Harvey’s a harbinger of horror

TEXAS residents yesterday were scrambling to prepare for the arrival of what may be the worst hurricane to strike the US in more than a decade.

The weather bureau warned residents of Houston and Galveston to “prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding ... small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed”.

But the warning went further than bursting river banks. Potential effects included “structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months”.

A life-threatening sea surge estimated at more than 3.5m could have “devastating impacts”.

Hurricane Harvey is intensifying with unanticipated speed as it sits over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico — evolving from a mere tropical depression to a monster spewing 135km/h wind in less than 24 hours. By the time it

crosses tthe Texas coast Harvey iis expected to be a high-end category 3 beast with wind up to 200km/h.

Once it crosses into Texas, weather forecasters predict it is likely to be trapped between two high pressure systems.

This will cause Harvey to be virtually stationary — lashing Houston and San Antonio with heavy rain and wind for

days on end. It’s a nightmare scenario that could result in up to 75cm of rainfall in some areas.

The last hurricane to unleash such force on the US was Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

Residents usually have days of warning but Hurricane Harvey has simply appeared out of nowhere.