Harvey has claimed at least 5 lives in Texas

As was predicted by weather experts, Tropical Storm Harvey in Texas ended up being catastrophic. On Sunday morning, officials confirmed that Harvey has claimed five lives in Texas, so far. Harvey was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, but the flooding from the storm is expected to last for at least a few more days, which means that the death toll and damage might just get worse throughout the week.

Officials say Harvey’s impact is “unprecedented.”

Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, told The New York Times:

“Everything that we had hoped wouldn’t happen but was forecasted is happening. We have a catastrophic, life-threatening flood event taking place over southeastern Texas, including the Houston metropolitan area. It’s bad now, and it’s getting worse.

According to CNN, one of the victims drove into high water, while another was caught in a fire. More information about the victims is sure to come in the following days.

There are thousands of residents trapped in their homes in Houston because of the rising water, and authorities are advising residents to not venture into attics unless they have axes and can break through the roof to make themselves seen to rescue workers. It is going to be a very long week.

This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/IjpWLey1h8

— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 27, 2017

Sylvester Turner, the mayor of Houston, said that the flooding will likely last another four or five days; on Sunday, over 200,000 residents were reportedly without electricity.

This is a disaster unlike any other in recent history, officials report. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not very optimistic, either. Director Brock Long said in a statement that FEMA would be in the area “for years.”

Car almost completely submerged at Gulf Fwy. & Wayside. Gulf Fwy. is shut down. #Harvey #Khou11 pic.twitter.com/bDYVLSKhcT

— Janelle Bludau (@JanelleKHOU) August 27, 2017

Rescue workers from Florida, New York, and other states are heading down to help with relief efforts, but, as mentioned before, the storm and flooding aren’t even over yet, so it will take some time to figure out exactly what has to be done and how long it will take.

Hopefully, residents stay safe and government agencies get all the support they need when it comes to rescue and relief efforts.