30,000 expected in shelters following storm Harvey: FEMA
WASHINGTON - More than 30,000 people are expected to be housed in shelters as monster storm Harvey continues to devastate the Texas city of Houston and surrounding areas, a top federal emergency official said Monday.
"This shelter mission is going to be a very heavy lift. We're anticipating over 30,000 people being placed in shelters temporarily to basically stabilise the situation and provide for their care," Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Brock Long told a news conference in Washington.
"Right now this is still an ongoing situation. We're not at recovery yet," he said, adding that authorities were conducting swift water rescues and searching for victims across as many as 50 counties in Texas.
Cars are trapped in floodwater near the I-10 freeway leading into Houston after Hurricane Harvey caused heavy flooding in the city, August 27, 2017. // AFP PHOTO
People walk through the flooded waters of Telephone Rd. in Houston on August 27, 2017 as the US fourth city city battles with tropical storm Harvey and resulting floods. // AFP PHOTO
A handout video still image made available by US Coast Guard Air on 28 August 2017, showing a Coast Guard flood punt team staff helping to rescue residents from flooded areas while responding to search and rescue requests after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, USA, 27 August 2017. // EPA PHOTO