Hurricane Harvey dents normal life in central Texas
HOUSTON: Tropical storm Harvey, the most powerful hurricane to hit the US mainland in 12 years, on Saturday made landfall in central Texas coast with winds of 195 kmph, taking aim at the state’s oil refining industry and knocking out power in more than two lakh homes.
The National Hurricane Centre said Harvey made landfall between Port Aransas and Port O’connor in Texas, the US state where roughly 17 per cent of America’s crude oil output and nearly half of the country’s refining capacity is located.
Houston, the most populous city in Texas, is home to the country’s largest refinery and petrochemical complex.
The storm, a Category 4 hurricane which was later downgraded to Category 1, had maximum sustained winds of 195 kmph. Resulting floodwaters were expected to reach 6 to 12 feet above ground level along the coast.
Harvey has impacted the Electric Reliability Council of Texas electric system, with 250,000 customers without power. It is the most powerful hurricane to hit the US mainland since 2005. Its effects could linger for days, with heavy rainfall through next week estimated to 40 inches in some areas.
Millions of residents along the south Texas coast saw hurricane-force winds that uprooted trees and power poles.
They had frantically stocked up on food, water and gas, while others heading out of the storm’s path boarded up windows and doors of their homes and businesses. Airlines cancelled flights, schools were shuttered while concerts and other events in Houston and other coastal cities were postponed.
Thousands of cruise ship customers waited offshore until their vessels were able to dock safely.