Stars rally for hurricane victims
Mercury falls...but the weekend will see 77F
HOLLYWOOD actors rallied to help the thousands of Hurricane Harvey victims yesterday.
Sandra Bullock, star of Gravity, gave $1million (£774,000) and, as she handed the cash to the American Red Cross, said: “We have to take care of each other.”
The Kardashian family pledged $500,000 (£387,000), Jennifer Lopez and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez gave $50,000 (£39,000), and Beyonce, who is from flood-ravaged Houston, vowed to launch a relief plan.
The death toll reached at least 30 confirmed and feared dead yesterday after seven days of the storm.
The rain finally stopped in Houston but Harvey is now ravaging East Texas and Louisiana with 26in of rain in 24 hours.
The cost is expected to hit £124billion which would make Harvey the worst natural disaster in American history.
Miss Bullock, who lives in Louisiana, said of her donation: “I’m just grateful I can do it.” Kim Kardashian wrote on Twitter: “Houston we’re praying for you”.
Beyonce said: “My heart goes out to my home city, Houston, and I remain in constant prayer for those affected and for the rescuers who have been so brave.”
JLo and Mr Rodriguez, a former baseball star, said on Instagram: “God bless Houston.”
Country star Chris Young, rapper Chris Brown and the cast of TV series Supernatural all gave $100,000 (£77,000). Comedian Kevin Hart gave $50,000 and new Baywatch star Dwayne, The Rock, Johnson gave $25,000.
Scavenging
More than 4ft of rain turned highways into raging torrents in Houston. Some rivers are still rising and 30 per cent of Harris County’s 1,800 square miles has been flooded – the area of New York City and Chicago combined.
Brock Long, head of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, said 30,000 people were in 230 shelters. He added: “The operation now is clear – we’re still in life saving mode.”
Harvey has wrecked thousands of houses and may have destroyed half a million vehicles. Some desperate people were seen scavenging for food floating in flood water or taking it from deserted supermarkets.
Looting is widespread and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner ordered a midnight-to-5am curfew. Fireman Jody Garcia said thieves were posing as firefighters so that they could steal.
Four rescuers in a seven-strong team are missing after their boat was swept on to an electricity pylon. Three were found clinging to trees with electrocution burns. In Beaumont, south-eastern Texas, police found a girl survivor clinging to the body of her mother.
In Port Arthur, 90 miles east of Houston, Mayor Derrick Freeman said: “Our whole city is under water.”
New Orleans fears it could be swamped again like it was by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Residents are outraged that a dozen massive pumps are not working and thousands of drains are clogged.
President Donald Trump visited Texas on Tuesday and is due to return on Saturday. Yesterday he tweeted: “My heart goes out to the great people of Texas.” CHILLY showers swept Britain yesterday as the Bank Holiday scorcher faded to a distant memory.
Southern England bore the brunt of the grim weather with temperatures plunging around 18F (10C) from the weekend.
A mixed bag of sunshine and showers is forecast over the next few days with the odd clap of thunder possible.
Scotland and the far north could see a touch of air frost as overnight temperatures drop later this week.
However, it is not all bad news, with some decent and widespread sunny spells expected to raise spirits this weekend.
The Met Office predicts scattered showers, sunny spells and average temperatures today and tomorrow.
Spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said yesterday: “There is a risk of thunder and hail among the showers on Thursday which could pop up anywhere.
“Another band of showers moves eastwards on Friday and again some of these could be heavy and thundery, but away from the rain it is not a bad day. Nights will start to turn chilly and there could be an air frost over high ground in the North on Saturday morning.
“Temperatures in the South will be around average in the high teens with the mid teens more likely further north.”
Warmer
The Bank Holiday saw a record 82.76F (28.2C) set in Lincolnshire on Monday.
It will feel warmer this weekend with 77F possible in the far South and highs of up to 68F more widely. But the North will struggle to get much above 59F, with temperatures sinking to around 4C (39.2F) overnight.
WeatherOnline forecaster Simon Keeling confirmed the weather is likely to pick up in time for the weekend.
He said: “It is most likely staying fair for all on Saturday with a ridge of high pressure extending across the UK.
“It is a chilly start but then temperatures will reach 75F in south-east England.
“We expect lots of sunshine and most places should be dry.”