Unlike with Hurricane Harvey, I don’t know the territory well enough to provide any insider insight on the storm. But it’s a big story, and I have a few tidbits of interest.
Current forecasts have Irma sparing the Miami area the brunt of the storm, instead being expected to track up the west coast of Florida. Good for Miami (though it will still get plenty of wind and rain), bad for St. Petersburg and Tampa. It also means people in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Mobile better start prepping for evacuation or riding out the storm, depending on local authorities and how the storm develops.
The Miami Herald has a live tracking page up, as does the New York Times.
There’s also a dedicated @Track_Irma Twitter feed.
More evacuations ordered:
BREAKING: Florida asks another 700,000 to leave ahead of Hurricane Irma; nearly 7 million total urged to evacuate multiple states.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2017
But they’ll have to deal with gas shortages.
Power outages:
Over 25,000 people already experiencing power outages in #Florida from #Irma.. and the center of storm is still close to #Cuba. pic.twitter.com/sOCXsDbkj3
— Michael Ventrice (@MJVentrice) September 9, 2017
Miami and Miami Beach have imposed a 7 PM curfew.
Here’s Miami Herald writer Martin Merzer’s classic guide for reporters on what to do while covering a hurricane. “Don’t use your own car. Rent a car. Despite company policy, take every form of insurance offered by the rental company. Don’t park the car under a lovely old tree or in a low spot near the motel.” (Hat tip: Dwight.)
And here’s a storm route projection video from Mobile, Alabama weatherman Alan Seals, who’s fast becoming the weatherman of choice for hurricane watchers for his clear, concise, no-nonsense delivery.
Though it may take up to two weeks for all the flood waters to disappear, Houston is showing some signs of normalcy, such as opening most freeways. Governor Greg Abbott said that Harvey may have inflicted $180 billion in damage on the state.
More food recovery tidbits:
As thousands of private citizens bravely responded with their individually owned boats and resources to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, nearby Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez waited to mobilize a single boat crew to assist with the disaster.
Sheriff Hernandez did not authorize mobilizing deputies to assist with rescue efforts until Wednesday – waiting on a formal ‘mutual aid request’ before mobilizing. The request guarantees that departments will be reimbursed for costs incurred and also serves as part of an organized effort.
Video shows authorities removing a 9-foot alligator from a flooded home in Humble, Texas in the aftermath of #Harvey https://t.co/4KVYfQ7AkS pic.twitter.com/TIoXwLXDPw
— ABC News (@ABC) September 1, 2017
This is what America is all about. Video from a few days ago from Hurricane Harvey. Never lose faith in the American people, no matter what. pic.twitter.com/aCZCWk2ecp
— Nick Short 🇺🇸 (@PoliticalShort) September 2, 2017
At 98K and rising, this may be the most retweeted thing from Hurricane Harvey:
Even in a disaster no one wants the vegan food. pic.twitter.com/KtswW7GLSI
— Shannon Hillis (@hillisthekillis) September 1, 2017
Welcome to a short, extra late Hurricane/flooding update, since I was busy much of the day working on this giant post about my library on my non-political blog.
The death toll from Harvey is now up to 38.
Some links:
Dear @Charlie_Hebdo_ : No #Texas city has ever been under the Nazi flag.
Unlike Paris.
— BattleSwarm (@BattleSwarmBlog) August 31, 2017
The Great Houston Flood continues. Though rainfall has slackened, many parts of Houston are still flooded.
Major items:
Water levels in the Addicks and Barker reservoirs reached record levels early Tuesday, said Jeff Lindner, Meteorologist at Harris County Flood Control District.
Water in the Addicks Reservoir reached 108 feet early Tuesday, causing it to flow over the top of the spillway.
The overflowing reservoir comes days after authorities announced controlled releases of water from both of the inundated dams.
Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers expect the Barker Reservoir will also have uncontrolled releases in the coming days. Uncontrolled releases from both dams are expected to flow into Buffalo Bayou and increase the waterway’s already high levels.
The water spilling out of the Addicks Reservoir Tuesday morning will likely reach subdivisions north of Tanner, left of west Eldridge Parkway to West Little York, and over to Beltway 8, Lindner said.
Affected subdivisions include:
Twin Lakes
Eldridge Park
Lakes on Eldridge
Lakes on Eldridge North
Independence Farms
Tanner Heights
Heritage Business Park
Update: Breaking news:
#BREAKING: Levee at Columbia Lakes breached in Brazoria Co. | 'Get out now,' officials say https://t.co/QnrjQL7hAH #HarveyFlood pic.twitter.com/ooto2wDuRg
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) August 29, 2017
Update 2
Houston police officer drowns in Harvey flood waters:
The officer, an HPD veteran who has been with the department for more than 30 years, was in his patrol car driving to work downtown Sunday morning when he got trapped in high water at I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road.
Search and rescue crews are currently recovering his body. The department has not yet formally notified the officer’s family.
Hence the lack of a name at this point.
“The officer’s death is the 15th fatality in Texas claimed by Hurricane Harvey.”
Update 3
Bridge collapse in east Houston:
ALERT from @HCSOTexas: Bridge over Greens Bayou collapse at Woodforest Blvd and Normandy, near Cloverleaf area
— Harris County OHSEM (@ReadyHarris) August 29, 2017
I think this is the bridge:
Update 4
HPD officer who drowned today identified as Sergeant Steve Perez:
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic in the line of duty death of Sergeant Steve Perez. pic.twitter.com/cHJxjnFgII
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) August 29, 2017
Update 5
Some insight into the scope of the problem:
3:49 p.m.: How much of Harris County is actually covered by water?
According to meteorologist Jeff Lindner, between 20 and 30 percent of Harris County is under water as of Tuesday afternoon.
Harris County is 1,777 square miles. Let’s take the low end of Lindner’s estimation — 20 percent. That would be 355.4 square miles.
Or:
Bigger than the entire city of Austin.
Bigger than 15 times the size of Manhattan, which is about 23 square miles.
Bigger than 7 times the size of San Francisco, which is about 47 square miles.
University of Tampa associate professor fired for saying Hurricane Harvey was ‘karma’ for Texas voting for Trump. Which I’m sure went over really well in another Hurricane-prone state that also voted for Trump…
Update 6
Houston death toll now stands at 24.
The convention center is full of storm refugees, so they’re opening up the Toyota Center and NRG Stadium.
Houston in now suffering from catastrophic, historic flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey:
Tropical Storm Harvey officially became Houston’s worst storm on record overnight, dumping heavy rains across the city and into overflowing bayous, leaving swaths of the city submerged in floodwater.
“It’s catastrophic, unprecedented, epic — whatever adjective you want to use,” said Patrick Blood, a NWS meteorologist. “It’s pretty horrible right now.”
Brock Long, FEMA’s administrator, said on CNN that Harvey is “a storm the United States has not seen yet.”
Some parts of Houston have gotten more than 20 inches of rain, and at least five people have died.
Houston’s CBS affiliate KHOU is off the air because their office has flooded.
Here’s some video. Street flooding:
Flooding and tornadoes:
Drone-eye view of neighborhood flooding, I think from somewhere in suburban SE Houston:
Compilation of various flooding footage, including bats swimming because they can’t get back to their home under the bridge (and some NSFW language at the end):
And keep in mind Houston suffered severe flooding not only from Ike in 2008, but also in the Memorial Day flood in 2015.
Update: 15 seniors rescued from Dickinson nursing home.
Some official tweets:
Please only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies. pic.twitter.com/SSmdlcJecE
— Houston OEM (@HoustonOEM) August 27, 2017
If residents have a high-water, safe boat or vehicle, please coordinate with the @hcfmo: 713 881 3100 Call to help with rescues. #harvey
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 27, 2017
There have been between 1500-2000 high-water rescues since weather event has begun. We will get to you-it's a promise. #harvey #hounews
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 27, 2017
Update 2:
Ben Taub hospital being evacuated due to flooding and power failures.
Downtown Houston.
Photo via @_cingraham pic.twitter.com/SvLXiBiP1n
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) August 27, 2017
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 27, 2017
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 27, 2017
My friend and neighbor, Raul Ramos, sent me this stunning pic: This is I-45 near downtown Houston pic.twitter.com/KSvUgMO5PG
— Manny Fernandez (@mannyNYT) August 27, 2017
Update 3
FEMA director says Harvey could be worst to ever hit Texas.
In a telephone interview with The Washington Post, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director William “Brock” Long said Harvey could top all previous Texas storms in terms of total damage.
“This will be a devastating disaster, probably the worst disaster the state’s seen,” Long told The Washington Post from FEMA headquarters in Washington.
Casualties, thankfully, remain well below record Texas storms.
The 1900 hurricane that hit Galveston, essentially scrubbing the island by tossing the bay across it, killed an estimated 6,000 to 12,00 people.
1:35: Two Houston-area airports cease flights
Hobby and Bush Intercontinental airports have ceased operations until further notice.
Roughly 850 travelers are stranded at the two Houston-area airports.
Hobby Airport closed around 3:30 a.m. when water reached the runways. Roughly 500 travelers were stuck at the airport Sunday morning. The airport facilities haven’t suffered any structural damages. Bush followed suit.
11:14 a.m.: MD Anderson closed Sunday and Monday
With roads in the Texas Medical Center impassable, MD Anderson Cancer Center said outpatient services, surgeries and all appointments are canceled for Sunday and Monday.
“Statewide, Abbott said there are 316,000 people without power, not including the Houston area.”
“As of 1 p.m., more than 76,000 customers in the area were without power.”
Cruise ships are unable to dock in Galveston because the port is closed and they couldn’t go anywhere if they could disembark due to flooded roads.
Note: Houston water has NOT been shut off.
Runway at @HobbyAirport #Harvey #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/wTGrTH1iHg
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) August 27, 2017
This is how bad things are in #Houston…and a lot more rain to come. #houstonflood pic.twitter.com/wYfIQpaI8M
— ChristianChristensen (@ChrChristensen) August 27, 2017
Update 4
Six Houston deaths total including a homeless man in La Marque who may have just dropped dead.
The 3900 block of FM 762 (in front of 24 HR fitness) has just collapsed. There is a massive sinkhole in the roadway. AVOID THE AREA! #Harvey pic.twitter.com/BJreUS1D9C
— Rosenberg Police (@RosenbergPolice) August 27, 2017
People wondering why no evacuation order. This is largely why. Hurricane Rita 2005. Dozens died IN this traffic #Houston pic.twitter.com/TAzw6KsxY5
— stephanie gosk (@stephgosk) August 27, 2017
Harvey's forecast of 50" in five days is near the theoretical maximum rainfall event possible in U.S.
PMP = "Probable Maximum Precipitation" https://t.co/sJRlgUcZFh— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) August 27, 2017
Update 5
La Grange is more than 100 miles inland of the Gulf of Mexico…
Also, President Trump is coming to visit on Tuesday.
Update 6
Took a break to take care of three downed trees in my front yard using lopers and a hatchet. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be sore tomorrow…
Rescue boats swerve around stranded cars in Dickinson. Harvey turning Houston metro area into a real life Waterworld pic.twitter.com/pHOqaXCiPI
— Brian L Kahn (@blkahn) August 27, 2017
Mattress Mack is opening Gallery Furniture for those that need a place a to go. What a great gesture.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 27, 2017
Footage of the aftermath of Harvey’s destruction in Rockport.
Compilation of more Houston flooding, including some overlap with previous clips (the KHOU flooding):
Update 7
Both FEMA and the Coast Guard are on the scene assisting with rescue operations.
6:13 p.m.: Harvey flooding forces release from Addicks and Barker
Col. Lars N. Zetterstrom with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced late Sunday afternoon that rising levels in the Addicks and Barker reservoirs will force authorities to release water from both dams. Based on the corps data, the rising waters will place residents and their homes in dangerous situations.
“We will have to release water to reduce the risk flooding in the Houston metropolitan,” he said. “Until we realize the actual rise we can predict how many homes would be impacted.”
Homeowners near the reservoirs will likely have water seep into their homes prior to the release.
Some of the released water will flow into the Buffalo Bayou and increase the already bulging water levels. This will lead to officials issuing a voluntary evacuation for residents living along bayou.
The corps plans to release water by 2 a.m. Monday at Addicks and 11 a.m. at Barker.
Please share as much as possible!! It's dark now & they're expecting over 20 in. MORE of rain tonight! #HurricaneHarvey #HoustonFlood pic.twitter.com/g9EEsYKrHn
— Perla (@rei_m3m) August 28, 2017
Beltway 8 and Memorial collapsed. #houstonflood pic.twitter.com/SaIUi4ClvF
— George McIntyre 🤠👌 (@GeorgeMcIntyre_) August 28, 2017
The left is Memorial Parkway on Saturday.
The right is Memorial Parkway Sunday morning. #Harvey #HoustonFlood https://t.co/88qQ8fcKZ4 pic.twitter.com/RKevt6b92A
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 27, 2017
“Hurricane Harvey barrelled into the Texas coast around 10 p..m. Friday as one of the most powerful hurricane to strike the Texas coast in decades.The Category 4 storm made landfall between Port Aransas and Port O’Connor, according to the National Hurricane Center.”
Remember, by the time Hurricane Ike hit Texas, it was only a Category 2 hurricane. Ike caused over $27 billion in damage and left 37 people dead.
“Forecasters said it has the potential of being the strongest hurricane to hit Texas since Hurricane Carla in 1961, which killed 34 and injured 465 when it made landfall near Port Lavaca. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 130 mph with higher gusts ”
More:
The National Weather Service issued flash flood watches for the following counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Montgomery, Waller, Liberty, Grimes, Chambers, Brazos, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Jackson, Burleson and Wharton.
Harvey is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 15 to 35 inches, with isolated pockets of 40 inches through next Wednesday. The weather service said “rainfall of this magnitude will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flooding.”
Part of Rockport High School has collapsed.
President Donald Trump, as requested by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, issued a disaster proclamation:
At the request of the Governor of Texas, I have signed the Disaster Proclamation, which unleashes the full force of government help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2017
Here’s a report from the coast in Corpus Christi at 5 PM, when the storm was still offshore and only a category 3, and it’s still almost blowing the reporter over:
Residents of the rest of the state should get ready for a whole lot of rain over the next few days…
Harvey has officially been upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane.
Texas officials announced mandatory evacuations for all seven counties on the coast: Calhoun County, San Patricio County, Refugio County, Brazoria County, Jackson County, Victoria County and Matagorda County. In four of those countries, officials ordered their entire county to evacuate and warned those who chose to stay behind that their rescue could not be guaranteed. Voluntary evacuations have been urged for residents in other areas.
Galveston is already experiencing flooding and there have been tornado warnings in Galveston and Brazoria counties.
Here’s the Governor’s official hurricane information page.
Stay safe…
Harvey is expected to be a Class III Hurricane by the time it makes landfall on the Texas coast late Friday or early Saturday. Predictions are for as much as 30 inches of rain in some places, as well as up to a 12 foot storm surge in coastal areas.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Aransas Pass and Calhoun County, as well as parts of Brazoria and Matagorda Counties.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has preemptively declared 30 counties disaster areas, which automatically makes a lot of state resources available to local officials.
Here’s a list of official closures in the Texas Coastal Bend area.
If you live on or near the Texas coast between Brownsville and Port Lavaca, now would be a darn good to to load up your car, tape your windows, lock your doors and evacuate.
Even in central Texas, be prepared for flooding in low-lying areas, avoid low water crossings, and have adequate food and water supplies in the event of a loss of power.
In short: Don’t be this guy:
Rapid City just got an inch of global warming.
An early September winter storm in the Black Hills has dumped more than 6 inches of snow in the area, while Rapid City received its earliest snowfall in more than 120 years.
Jon Chamberlain, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Rapid City, said almost 1 inch of snow had fallen in downtown Rapid City by 8:30 a.m. while 2 inches was measured in higher elevations in town.
The snowfall in Rapid City is the earliest in the city since 1888, the NWS said.
At what point do all those cold weather anecdotes add up to climate?