Harvey still wreaks havoc
VISITS HARD-HIT AREAS FOR BRIEFINGS ON ‘TERRIBLE TRAGEDY’ Tropical storm once more gathering strength as hundreds are stranded.
Donald Trump arrived in Texas yesterday to show unity in the face of what he called the “terrible tragedy” wrought by monster storm Harvey’s devastating rains.
The US president and his wife, Melania, were not slated to visit Houston, America’s fourth largest city where rescue teams were scrambling to reach hundreds of stranded people as Harvey appeared poised to strike again.
They instead made stops further west, including hard-hit Corpus Christi, for briefings on relief efforts as catastrophic flooding has crippled parts of the massive state’s southeast.
The medical examiner’s office for Harris County, which includes the city of Houston, confirmed six deaths since Sunday “potentially tied to Hurricane Harvey”. Three people were previously known to have died as a result of the storm.
“We are one American family,” Trump said on Monday.
He promised the federal government would be on hand to help Texas along the “long and difficult road to recovery” from the storm.
Officials warned that the danger has not yet passed, with the tropical storm once more gathering strength on the Gulf coast.
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner said more than 8 000 people had been brought to city shelters.
Coast Guard commander Vice-Admiral Karl Schultz said he had 18 helicopters in Houston, and about 12 in the air at any one time.
“If you can get to your roof, wave a towel. Leave a marking on the roof so helicopter crews can see you,” he said. – AFP