National Weather Service: Hurricane Harvey Is 'Beyond Anything Experienced'
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27 August 2017
The National Weather Service released a terrifying statement Sunday on the situation in southeastern Texas, calling the wreckage of Hurricane Harvey “unprecedented” and “beyond anything experienced.”
This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety. #Harveypic.twitter.com/IjpWLey1h8
— NWS (@NWS) August 27, 2017
Residents of Houston are being advised to take to their roofs in order to avoid flooding. Officials have asked residents to not leave their homes. There are reportedly no safe exit routes in Houston.
For our friends in TX, if experiencing life-threatening flooding, move to a higher floor with windows or to the roof. #Harveypic.twitter.com/jARslyd79f
— NWS (@NWS) August 27, 2017
The National Weather Service said that total rainfall could reach as high as 50 inches. Houston’s average annual precipitation usually measures 49.8 inches, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
The U.S. Coast Guard has responded to the disaster, deploying helicopters from all over the country to provide aid.
To make matters worse for the people of southeast Texas and Louisiana, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Sunday.
Tornado threat expected to continue across parts of SE Texas and far SW Louisiana @NWSSPChttps://t.co/k050eeWjE5#Harveypic.twitter.com/qwp9QUUy3c
— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) August 27, 2017
The National Weather Service released another statement Sunday afternoon saying that “local rainfall amounts of 50 inches would exceed any previous Texas rainfall record. The breadth and intensity of this rainfall are beyond anything experienced before. Catastrophic flooding is now underway and expected to continue for days.”