But as of Saturday morning, forecasters have shifted their attention to tracking the storm’s potentially epic deluge.
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The Center said little motion is expected during the next few days and that maximum sustained winds have decreased to around 65 miles per hour (104 kph). Hundreds of thousands are without power along the coast, where cleanup efforts are just beginning.
Harvey made landfall about 10 p.m. Friday east-northeast of Corpus Christi as a Category 4, with winds in excess of 130 miles per hour.
It has since decreased to a Category one storm. Some argue the storm is the biggest one to pound the eastern coast since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.
Current meteorological forecasting is calling for as much as 30 inches of rain by Wednesday, with some areas predicted to receive as much as 40 inches, cited by Stripes.com.
Coldplay cancelled their planned Friday concert in Houston after Hurricane Harvey swept coastal Texas with powerful winds and rain.
The area around Rockport, for instance, could see up to 60 inches of rain throughout the week.
The City of Austin Transportation Department has closed Red River Street between Cesar Chavez and Third streets.
Tornadoes are also possible on Saturday near the middle and upper Texas coast into far southwest Louisiana.
Extensive damage has been reported in Corpus Christi. The Portland Press Herald reports the Kennebec River erupted from its banks, ripping out bridges and roads, destroying homes and wrecking businesses in the worst flood in ME history.
Residents in many counties north of Corpus Christi have been asked to evacuate. But the danger from Harvey remains.
Heavy winds and rain pummeled the seaside Texas city..
For health and safety reasons, the animals will stay at the SPCA until the evacuees can return home.
“You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you could be subject to a search and rescue”. He said a disaster declaration has been issued for 50 of Texas’ 254 counties.
There have been 338,000 power outages along the coast reported.
High winds kept emergency crews out of many places, and authorities said it could be hours before emergency teams are able to fully assess the damage.
Even with winds gradually decreasing, state and city officials are still urging drivers to keep off the roads for now.
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The Dallas News says eight Texas representatives in 2013 voted against replenishing the National Flood Insurance Program, which was already running out of money ahead of Sandy.
