Now a tropical depression, Harvey has moved north, leaving many South Texas rivers well above flood stage with cresting expected this weekend. As the storm moves out of east Texas and southwestern Louisiana, cities from Rockport to Houston, Beaumont, Victoria and Port Arthur are struggling with flooded conditions and overflowing shelters. As many as 40,000 homes may have been destroyed in the Houston/Harris County area, according to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. The affected local governments are expected to remain in the rescue and response mode for a few more days.

Many evacuees have found shelter in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. For example, the air-conditioned Dallas Convention Center parking lot has been converted to a shelter that can accommodate 5,000.  Fort Worth is using a recreation center to shelter 3,500 individuals and San Antonio is sheltering some 1200 evacuees. 

Texas local governments have robust mutual aid agreements throughout the state. In addition, should resources from other states be needed, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) can be tapped to provide mutual aid across state lines. Operating in all 50 states, D.C., the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, EMAC does not replace federal assistance, but complements it. Learn more about EMAC deployments here.

To update your disaster plan, check out this resource, Hurricane Preparation from FEMA, as well as dozens of others in our Emergencies and Disasters topic area.