Over 2,000 911 calls poured in overnight Sunday as Hurricane Harvey continued to rip through southeastern Texas. Residents are confused, as tornado warnings are asking people to shelter in the basement whereas the hurricane warnings are completely contradicting that procedure, asking them to get to the highest point of their home such as rooftops.
According to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, More than 1,000 people were rescued overnight Sunday, with more than 2,000 911 calls for rescues flooded dispatch centers. Priority was given to life-threatening emergencies.
“This disaster’s going to be a landmark event,” the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Brock Long, said.
Authorities urged residents not to go to their attics and instead seek refuge in their roofs.
“Reports of people getting into attic to escape floodwater — do not do so unless you have an ax or means to break through onto your roof,” Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo wrote on Twitter.
President Donald Trump stated in a tweet that he will head to Texas as soon as possible. “I will be going to Texas as soon as that trip can be made without causing disruption. The focus must be life and safety.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Trump’s response to the storm was “extremely professional, very helpful” and offered any resources the governor needed. He added it’s still unclear what amount of money will be needed for storm damage repairs, but estimated to be “billions of dollars.”
The Associated Press Contributed to this Story.