Storm Harvey - Up to 2,000 rescued as Houston hit by 'catastrophic floods'

Up to 2,000 people have been rescued from floods in and around Houston, as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to batter Texas with heavy rains.

There are reports of possible deaths in submerged vehicles, but investigations continue, Chief Darryl Coleman of the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott told the media he could not confirm storm-related deaths.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says conditions are "unprecedented".

It said there was a "flash flood emergency" across the Houston Metro area, with travel near impossible.

Many shelters have been opened, including in a convention centre.

Governor Abbott said about 250 roads and motorways had been closed in Texas and that he had made a federal disaster declaration for 19 counties that was granted by President Donald Trump.

"We are dealing with a triangle of ongoing rain, including Houston, Victoria and Corpus Christi cities," Mr Abbott said.
"We will continue receiving incredibly heavy rain."

The NWS earlier noted reports of five deaths in the area, but only one fatality in Houston has been confirmed.

Two deaths have so far been confirmed from the storm since it made landfall:

• In Aransas County, where Rockport is the chief town, a person died in a house fire on Friday night
• A woman died in Houston as she drove through flooded streets on Saturday

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has urged residents not to call emergency services unless their situation is life-threatening and they need to be rescued.

"Don't get on the road. Don't assume this storm is over," he said.

Officials in Harris County, of which Houston is the county seat, have asked people who own boats to help with rescues.

Houston Bush Airport has announced that all commercial flight operations have been stopped until further notice. Houston's other airport, Hobby, is also shut, with runways completely flooded.

In Washington, the White House said that President Trump would visit Texas on Tuesday to survey storm damage. Mr Trump had earlier said that he would go as soon as it was possible to do so"without causing disruption".

Inside Houston a disaster is unfolding. The motorways are deserted except for fire engines, police cars and other emergency vehicles.

Moving around the city is extremely difficult and dangerous. And yet some people are still driving, adding to the pressure on city authorities.

Everywhere you look cars are being abandoned as people scramble to find high ground. Roads have turned to rivers along which evacuees are being taken to safety in boats and in army-style, open-back lorries.