Hurricane Harvey: Curfew Implemented As Storm Leaves Houston

HOUSTON, TX — The heavy part of Hurricane Harvey has left the mainland, with remnant winds and rain still pelting Houston and the surrounding area. Although the former Category 4 storm is now Tropical Storm Harvey and regrouping in the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is underwater after unprecedented rainfall over a four-day period. Residents, volunteers and first responders continued to show an uncanny resiliency in their rescue efforts.

Some parts of Houston received more than 50 inches of rain, and parts of the inner loop received more than 40 inches, with south Houston getting 49.20 inches of rain. The death toll of Harvey has reached 15, which includes a Houston police officer who drowned. An emotional press conference took place at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed the death of Officer Sgt. Steve Perez, 34-year veteran. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Acevedo embraced as the somber occasion ended.

Turner said Tuesday morning that rescue efforts continue to be the top priority of the city and that more shelters will open up later today.

Harvey Could Be One Of The Most Expensive Storms In US History

"Yesterday our focus was on rescue, and today our focus is on rescue," Turner said in a press conference Tuesday morning. "And we're not turning anyone away from our shelters."

Turner said there are more than 9,000 evacuees at George R. Brown Convention Center and that some "mega shelter locations" would open later today. He wouldn't say where those would be, as they're still setting those places up. Those could be venues like the Toyota Center, NRG Stadium or perhaps some of the universities.

Turner added that he's made an official request to FEMA for supplies, cots and food for an additional 10,000 evacuees. The mayor also said that Houston and Harris County aren't just local shelter providers, but the municipalities are serving as the regional hub.

Bayous in Houston have overflowed and merged together, rivers have reached maximum flood stages and neighborhood streets have become navigable waterways. Good Samaritans continue to pour in from all over Texas and neighboring states, so Texans, Cajuns and Oklahomans are patrolling on pontoons and air boats to assist the city and county with rescue operations.

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Over 30,000 People Might Need Shelter After Harvey

Storm or hurricane, Harvey has already left an undeniable mark that will go down as one of the worst storms in United States history and among tops with those in Texas lore. In the Bayou City, folks have already proclaimed it worse than Hurricane Allison or any of the rainy day floods of Memorial or Tax Days.

Schools have closed, curfews have been mandated in some places and many hospitals have been evacuated.

The gut-wrenching stories run deep as images fly around all media with folks in Houston trying to escape waters of their neighborhoods in waist-deep water to a more suitable environment. Volunteers and countless first responders continue to rescue hundreds, if not thousands, of stranded neighbors.

Roads and major highways are underwater, many are without power and Texans continue to show resiliency.

“We’re working with the Red Cross to make sure we have the supplies,” Turner said. “We’re asking for diapers, baby formula, clothing donations, food donations, medical supplies and volunteers.”

Several area hospitals have been evacuated because of swirling waters, a lesson learned from watching what happened in New Orleans with Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The flood control district activated a controlled water release of the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs gradually increased to 8,000 cubic feet until per second. Buffalo Bayou levels will increase. A bridge over Greens bayou collapsed Tuesday morning.

Shelters Around Houston And Dallas

There are area shelters for those who need somewhere to go. On Tuesday night Turner announced the Toyota Center would be used as a shelter. However, Turner said people still need to check in through George R. Brown Convention Center, and that evacuees will be moved from GRB to Toyota Center accordingly, and that it's to prevent overcrowding of the convention center.

Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale turned his mattress store into a shelter, and Dallas has opened the Bailey Convention Center. One day after a large outcry on social media for remaining silent and distant, Lakewood Church opened its doors to evacuees Tuesday afternoon.

Here's where you can find one of more than 50 area shelters, including non-profits and the suburbs. There are some shelters located just northwest of Houston for any evacuees who don't want to go downtown.

Governor Activates Entire National Guard

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated the Texas National Guard Monday morning, which is roughly 12,000 soldiers.

“It is imperative that we do everything possible to protect the lives and safety of people across the state of Texas as we continue to face the aftermath of this storm,” Abbott said in the statement. “The Texas National Guard is working closely with FEMA and federal troops to respond urgently to the growing needs of Texans who have fallen victim to Hurricane Harvey, and the activation of the entire Guard will assist in the efforts already underway. I would like to thank FEMA Administrator Brock Long, as well as all our brave first responders for their hard work in helping those impacted by this terrible storm.”

Sports teams, athletes and celebrities making large donations

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for flood victims, and then he donated $100,000.

"To see it going through such a disaster and not be there, not be able to help, it's very difficult to have to watch it from afar and see it on TV and look at streets that you know and you can barely recognize them under all the water," Watt said. "Houston, we're in this together."

By noon on Tuesday, more than $1.5 million had been raised, and now the new goal is $2 million. Here's where you can add to the fund.

Recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey will be massive.
We must come together to help rebuild our communities.https://t.co/SR6DmnNbyM pic.twitter.com/iiMsG2i4dl
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 27, 2017

The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys, who are scheduled to play their final preseason game this Thursday at NRG Stadium in Houston, both pledged to donate $1 million. That amount was matched by the NFL Foundation and the New England Patriots.

The Houston Rockets and owner Les Alexander pledged $10 million to the effort, and the Houston Astros have donated $4 million..

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart put out a challenge to fellow celebrities to donate, and he kicked it off with a $25,000 donation.

For animals that have gotten displaced because of the storm, one group has taken charge and is flying more than 300 rescued pets to shelters in other states via Wings of Rescue.

Also See: Top 5 Most Devastating Hurricanes To Hit The U.S.

Top image: People take shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey inundated the city on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The evacuation center which is overcapacity has already received more than 9,000 evacuees with more arriving.

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images