Flooding fears as storm goes inland
HARVEY spun deeper into Texas and unloaded extraordinary amounts of rain over the weekend after the fearsome hurricane crashed into vulnerable homes and businesses along the coastline, killing at least two people and injuring up to 14.
Throughout the region between Corpus Christi and Houston, many people feared that toll was only the beginning. Authorities did not know the full scope of damage because weather conditions prevented emergency crews getting into the hardest-hit places.
And they dreaded the destruction that was yet to come from a storm that could linger for days and unload more than 100cm of rain on cities, including dangerously flood-prone Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city.
In the island community of Port Aransas, population 3800, officials were unable to fully survey the town because of “massive” damage. Police and heavy equipment had only made it into the northernmost street.
“I can tell you I have a very bad feeling and that’s about it,” said Mayor Charles Bujan, who had called for a mandatory evacuation but did not know how many heeded the order.
Some of the worst damage appeared to be in Rockport, a coastal city of about 10,000 that was directly in the storm’s path. The mayor said his community took a blow “right on the nose” that left “widespread devastation,” including homes, businesses and schools that were heavily damaged. Some structures were destroyed.
Rockport’s roads were a mess of toppled power poles. A trailer blocked much of one major intersection.
Harvey’s relentless wind tore the metal sides off the high school gym and twisted the steel door frame of its auditorium.
As many as 14 people suffered minor injuries, including slips and falls, scrapes and a broken leg. One of the fatalies confirmed so far was a person caught in a fire at home during the storm.