Harvey made its way to Texas and first came down as a category-four hurricane on Aug. 25. Reports indicate that Houston received a year's worth of rainfall within one week. With an estimated 30 inches of rain (75cm), the population was left with flooded streets and suburbs. Stranded people have been rescued from their rooftops all week-long, and an estimated 2,000 people have been rescued so far. Five casualties were reported dead from the flood. The hurricane was downgraded to a lesser storm, but local schools and airports are still flooded and unusable.
Electricity is also not available in many areas at the moment.
According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), conditions are "unprecedented." A "flash flood emergency" is in force across the Houston area and travel is near impossible.
What is the current situation in Houston, Texas?
As of today, the streets and buildings remain flooded. With the flooding, businesses remain closed, and roads are cut off. This flooding also makes traveling nearly impossible. Engineers are working on releasing water from 2 dams. Families that live near the dams still face some severe flooding.
The city officials are under pressure and have been so since the flood. They stated that the town might not have enough time to spare to accommodate President Donald Trump if he pushes through with his visit on Tuesday, 29th of August.
Is the storm already over?
Although the rain is not as strong as when it first hit, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told residents: "Don't get on the road. Don't assume this storm is over." With that, families are advised to stay on guard for flooding and to secure emergency rations for their families. Families from Fort Bend County, about 35 miles (55 km) south-west of Houston, were ordered to evacuate because flooding is expected from a nearby river.
However, authorities have not yet given any order for a mass evacuation of the affected areas.
With the hurricane, it is expected that the economy would be affected. Texas is a key center of the oil and gas industry. With the flood, many businesses in the city are affected by the damages and the lost income. The damages in Texas would most likely cause a price hike in fuel as well as a shortage.
The economic damage from Hurricane Harvey is currently being assessed. It is likely that it could equal the economic loss brought about by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hurricane Katrina caused about $15 billion (£11.6 billion) of flood damage in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.
