United States: Tropical depression Harvey hits Tennessee August 31 /update 12

Event

Heavy rains associated with tropical depression Harvey battered parts of Tennessee and neighboring states on Thursday, August 31, causing street flooding and power outages in major urban centers, including Memphis. A tornado also damaged several homes in northwest Alabama. The National Weather Service issued flash flood alerts for much of West Tennessee, and forecasts indicate that heavy rains will spread from the lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys into the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians through Friday.

The official storm-related death toll has risen to 39, and approximately 60,000 to 70,000 emergency phone calls have been made in Texas since Harvey made landfall last Friday. The flooding has resulted in major air and transportation disruptions. A major fuel pipeline in Texas ruptured early on Thursday morning, and gas prices are expected to skyrocket. Houston's Hobby (HOU) and Intercontinental (IAH) airports were reopened on Wednesday evening, however, residual disruptions are to be anticipated throughout the coming week.

A citywide curfew was imposed throughout Houston on August 29 as a result of widespread looting, and movement in the city is prohibited from midnight until 05:00. The National Hurricane Center is warning of continued life-threatening conditions and is advising people to avoid southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana until further notice.

Context

The storm made first landfall as a Category 4 hurricane (on a scale of 1 to 5) at around 23:00 on Friday, August 25, between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, Texas. Harvey brought catastrophic flooding to the region, including in the city of Houston. At around 04:00 on Wednesday, August 30, the storm made landfall in Louisiana approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Cameron, after being downgraded to a tropical storm.The storm was further downgraded to a tropical depression on the night of Wednesday, August 30. A total of 119 cm (47 in) of rain has fallen since the storm began on Friday, August 25, and a chemical plant outside in Crosby exploded on Thursday morning, hospitalizing 12 people.

Storms are common in the region during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with a peak of storm activity typically observed in late August and September. Hurricane Harvey is likely the strongest hurricane to hit the United States since Hurricane Bret in 1999.

Advice

Travelers are advised to avoid impacted areas until the situation normalizes. Individuals already in the region are advised to follow local weather forecasts and adhere to all instructions or advice issued by local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). In the event of flooding, keep in mind that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult. Furthermore, individuals are advised to confirm any flights to the affected areas with their airline.