Texas storm’s impact unrelenting in 4th day

Nearly a third of Harris County under water; dams, drainage stressed out

Tropical Storm Harry has brought catastrophic flooding to Texas, killing at least 11 people and paralyzing the city of Houston. Damage is expected to run well into the tens of billions of dollars.

City officials prepared to shelter some 19,000 people, with thousands more expected to flee the area as the flooding entered its fourth day.

Nearly a third of Harris County was underwater, the Houston Chronicle reported. Forecasters warned that the rain would continue through Thursday, straining dams and drainage systems that protect the US energy hub, the nation’s fourth-largest city.

An 11th death was reported on Tuesday — Houston Police Sergeant Steve Perez, 60, a 34-year veteran of the force who apparently drowned while attempting to drive to work on Sunday, Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters.

Acevedo said that Perez’ family had urged him not to leave the house, but the officer told them, “We have work to do.”

US President Donald Trump visited the state on Tuesday, speaking in Corpus Christi near where Harvey first came ashore last week. The president said he wanted the relief effort to be an example of how to respond.

“This storm, it’s epic what happened. But you know what, it happened in Texas, and Texas can handle anything,” Trump said, before waving a Texas state flag over the crowd.

Harvey has drawn comparisons with Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans 12 years ago, killing 1,800

US President Donald Trump

people. Louisiana also was drenched in the current storm.

The National Hurricane Center on Monday afternoon said a preliminary report from Texas shows 51.88 inches of rain have fallen, a record for the continental United States.

Some 3,500 people have been rescued from high waters in the Houston area, with police, firefighters and National Guard troops continuing to try to locate those marooned.

Harris County officials warned residents to evacuate as they released water from reservoirs to alleviate pressure on two dams.

About 9,000 evacuees were staying at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. Mayor Sylvester Turner said his office had asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assets to allow the city to shelter another 10,000 people.

Other shelters were set up in Dallas for about 8,000, and Austin for 7,000. The Red Cross said it had 34,000 cots in the region and enough food.

The slow-moving storm’s center was in the Gulf of Mexico about 70 miles southeast of Houston by Monday evening. It was expected to linger off the coast before moving inland again late Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

[This epic storm] happened in Texas, and Texas can handle anything.”