As rescuers work to save Houston area residents being flooded out of their homes this afternoon, a dire warning from forecasters: Torrential rains are expected to continue for several days.
The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center is calling for an additional 15 to 25 inches of rain over the middle and upper Texas coast, including the Houston area, during the next several days. The National Hurricane Center said isolated storm rainfall totals could reach 50 inches, which would rival some of the most extreme rain events in U.S. history and break the state rainfall record in Texas. [...]
Perhaps even more frightening, computer model forecasts are showing the very real possibility that Harvey will move back over the Gulf of Mexico early next week and make a second landfall near Houston on Wednesday.
Tornado warnings and flash flood warnings continue in the area; the National Weather Service calls the situation "dire" and warns that "historic flooding is expected to continue in the Houston metropolitan area through the foreseeable future."
Authorities are reminding residents to use 911 ONLY for life threatening situations and to turn off power if they believe floodwaters will soon reach their homes; residents who are already in the area and have flat bottomed boats or other suitable vehicles are being asked for assistance in rescue efforts.
Individuals looking to make donations to local relief efforts can find a list of resources here. A check-in post for Daily Kos community members in the storm’s path is here.