President lends a hand as Harvey death toll tops 50

US President Donald Trump hugged children at a shelter for Hurricane Harvey victims before serving food to the temporary residents of a stadium in Houston as he toured areas hit by the storm.

Mr Trump pledged government aid to help residents in the fourth-largest US city as flood waters began to recede at the weekend and the scale of the destruction became more apparent.

The death toll from the storm has surpassed 50 and is likely to climb further as authorities continue to survey flooded homes, the Houston Chronicle newspaper reported.

Mr Trump was accompanied by First Lady Melania for his second trip to Texas in a week.

Mr Trump (pictured) also met with volunteers collecting supplies at a Houston church, toured flood damage and met with Texas lawmakers.

According to the White House, some 100,000 households have been affected by the disaster. With most not covered by insurance, victims are left hoping for government aid and community support.

The White House has requested Congress approve an initial $US 7.85 billion ($A9.85 billion) in emergency funding.

Analysts have offered damage estimates varying from $30 billion to $100 billion.