Donald Trump vows help over 'historic' storm Harvey disaster

Donald Trump has declared "there's never been
anything like" flooding across Texas as he predicted
a "very expensive" recovery operation.
Around 30,000 people could be forced into shelters
by severe rainfall dumped on the state by tropical
storm Harvey, with weather alerts also issued in
Louisiana and Mississippi.
Half a million people are expected to need
emergency help, with the worst of the weather yet to
recede.
On the eve of his planned trip to the disaster zone
with First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday, the US
President said: "It's the biggest ever, they are saying
it is the biggest, it's historic.
"It is a historic amount of water, there's never been
anything like it."
The storm is set to bring more downpours to
Houston, the state's biggest city, with the life-
threatening flooding predicted to peak on Wednesday
and Thursday.
Up to 20 more inches of rain could fall in the coming
days, on top of the 30 inches some areas have
experienced so far.
More than 75,000 emergency calls have been
processed by Houston's services since Harvey first
hit the city.
At least 2,000 people have been rescued so far as a
result of the storm, with 12,000 troops deployed to
assist with search and rescue efforts.
Mr Trump said he would speak to the US Congress
about boosting emergency funds.
"We're dealing with Congress. As you know it's going
to be a very expensive situation," he said.
"We want to take care of the people of Texas and
Louisiana when that happens - we'll see what
happens with the flow, the flow seems to be heading
towards Louisiana right now, as we speak - we'll be
there for the people of Louisiana also."
He added that recovery from the storm's damage
would be a "long and difficult road".
Texas governor Greg Abbott described Harvey as "if
not the largest, one of the largest disasters America
has ever faced".
He said the state was "just beginning the process of
responding to this storm", with authorities prioritising
"protecting and preserving life and rescuing every
person we can find".
State officials have said at least eight people appear
to have died as a result of Harvey.
Mr Abbott added his second goal was to ensure
access to necessities such as food, water and power,
with electricity in the process of being restored in
areas that most desperately need it.
He said there was a "need to recognise...a new and
different normal for this entire region" in the wake of
the storm's devastation.
Eighteen of Texas's 254 counties have qualified for
federal help due to the disaster, triggering aid from
Washington's Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA).
The White House insisted FEMA's $3bn balance
would be enough to handle the immediate response
to the storm, with the agency now prioritising its
response to Harvey over earlier disasters in order to
prevent it running out of money.
Mr Trump vowed federal cash would arrive in the
region quickly.
"You're going to have what you need and it's going to
go fast," he said.
When US Congress returns next week, it is likely to
vote on a multibillion-dollar aid package.
A spokeswoman for House of Representatives
speaker Paul Ryan said: "We will help those affected
by this terrible disaster.
"The first step in that process is a formal request for
resources from the administration."
Mexico, which Mr Trump has continued to insist will
pay for a border wall "one way or the other", has
offered assistance with the disaster.

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