The first military plane transporting evacuees from Galveston County, Texas, arrived in Dallas Monday afternoon, as rescue efforts continued to help thousands of people in Houston who were devastated by the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
About 70 people and about a dozen pets were flown in on military C-130 planes and were taken to a shelter in Irving, Texas, after getting a medical evaluation.
The first plane arrived around 6.20pm and at least six others are expected to make the same trip.
The Lively Point Youth Center in Irving, Texas, has now become a shelter for Harvey evacuees as more are airlifted by Texas Air National Guard.
The space has capacity for about 200 evacuees and the shelter will be run by the Red Cross and City of Irving employees, Fox 4 reported. The city’s emergency management coordinator said they are planning for the shelters to run ‘long term’.
Evacuees and those working the shelters have and will be vetted through criminal background checks.
The City of Dallas is also planning to host more than 5,000 evacuees in a shelter at the convention center.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts are in full swing in Houston and other areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday that 3,052 people have been rescued by police since the storm flooded the city, adding that 1,000 have been rescued in the last eight hours alone, the Associated Press reported.
People and rescue boats line a street at the east Sam Houston Tollway as evacuations continue from flooding in Houston, Texas, Monday
Evacuees from Dickinson, Texas, board an airplane at Scholes International Airport on Monday in Galveston, Texas. Texas Air National Guard planes took evacuees to cities, including Dallas, where they can stay in shelters
A Nacogdoches firefighter helps Sara Golden and her daughters Paisley, Poppy and Piper, of Dickinson, Texas, evacuate and board a Texas Air National Guard C-130 at Scholes International Airport in Galveston
Evacuees from Dickinson, Texas, board an airplane at Scholes International Airport on Monday
Evacuees are helped to dry land after their homes were inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey in Houston
Theresa Ross receives a tank of oxygen when she arrived to the George R. Brown Convention Center seeking shelter with her husband in Houston on Monday
Thousands take shelter from the Tropical Storm Harvey at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Monday
Oscar Galindo, Donato Galindo, 2, Oscar Galindo, 11, Andre Galindo, 9, and Maria Rodriguez relax while taking shelter at the George R Brown Convention Center on Monday in Houston, after living inside a car since Saturday after the rain from the Tropical Storm Harvey flooded their home in Dickinson
A rescue truck brings people to a street intersection at the east Sam Houston Tollway as evacuations continue from flooding in Houston
People walk with dogs along a street at the east Sam Houston Tollway from rescue boats as evacuations continue from flooding in Houston
People are rescued from a flooded neighborhood. Floodwaters reached the rooflines of single-story homes Monday and people could be heard pleading for help from inside as Harvey poured rain on the Houston area for a fourth consecutive day after a chaotic weekend of rising water and rescues
People are rescued from a flooded neighborhood on Monday in Houston. Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall north of Corpus Christi late Friday evening, is expected to dump upwards to 40 inches of rain in areas of Texas over the next couple of days
Evacuees in Houston make their way to dry land after leaving their homes that were inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey
A boy is lifted from a rescue truck on a street at the east Sam Houston Tollway
A man reaches to take a small dog from a rescue truck at the east Sam Houston Tollway as evacuations in Houston continue
Genice Gipson (right) comforts her lifelong friend, Loretta Capistran (left), outside of Capistran’s apartment complex in Refugio, Texas, on Monday. ‘We got to be strong, baby,’ Gipson told Capistran
The extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston has started to become clear as rains continued in the city.
Huge swathes of Houston now sit underwater as floodwater continues to rush through its streets.
Thousands are without homes, even more have lost power and 11 people are feared dead across the entire state as a result of the storm.
There is no respite on the horizon, with another 50 inches of rain scheduled to land over the course of the week.
Harvey increased slightly in strength Monday as it drifted back over the warm Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters expect the system to stay over water with 45 mph winds for 36 hours and then head back inland east of Houston sometime Wednesday. The system will then head north and lose its tropical strength.
Many residents have been left no choice but to wait in their homes to be rescued but emergency services have been pushed to the limit. 911 operators are having to choose between life-fearing callers and panicked residents are clambering to their roofs to wave towels in the hope that someone will rescue them.
Dead livestock lie on the ground in the wake of Hurricane Harvey on Monday in Bayside, Texas
This aerial photo shows a view of damage in the wake of Hurricane Harvey on Monday in Corpus Christi, Texas
This house in Bayside, Texas, was destroyed after Hurricane Harvey hit Bayside, Texas
Debris lies on the ground near homes in the Key Allegro subdivision of Rockport, Texas on Monday
An apartment unit sits completely destroyed from Hurricane Harvey in Refugio, Texas on Monday
Todd Witherington searches his trailer that was overturned by the effects of Hurricane Harvey on Monday in Aransas Pass, Texas
This photo shows The First Baptist Church roof after it was peeled off by Hurricane Harvey in Refugio, Texas, on Monday
Damage to the Bay House Condominiums is shown in Rockport, Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey on Monday
Debris lies on the ground and fields are flooded in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in Bayside, Texas. Harvey hit the coast as a Category 4 hurricane
Debris lies on the ground next to a damaged home in the wake of Hurricane Harvey on Monday in Bayside
High levels of flood submerges a road after Hurricane Harvey hit Conroe, Texas, on Monday
A truck navigates a road flooded with rain water, remnants of Hurricane Harvey, on Monday in Houston
Heavy duty machines are seen on a road submerged by flood after Hurricane Harvey hit Conroe
A rainbow appears over over a Whataburger sign that was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in Refugio, Texas on Monday
Power poles blown by Hurricane Harvey lean over a road in Refugio, Texas
US and Texas flags fly in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Rockport, Texas on Monday
Here, in a collection of photographs taken around the city before and after the storm hit, the scope of the damage is laid bare.
There were 5,500 people in shelters on Monday morning and 911 operators had responded to 75,000 calls alone by 10.30am.
More than 2,000 people have been rescued from the flood water and at any given time, there is a 15 person backlog for 911 calls.
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, estimates that 30,000 will be in need of shelter by the time the storm passes and there is already an estimated $40billion in damage.
Aerial footage shows the floods in Rockport, Texas, after Hurricane Harvey on Sunday (right) and before (left)
Interstate 45 Highway in Houston in 2005 (left) and on Sunday (right) after the Hurricane Harvey floods swept the city
The theater district is shown above in ordinary conditions (left) and on Sunday (right). The total damage of Hurricane Harvey has been estimated as $40billion
Another view of Houston’s theater district taken on an ordinary day (left) and on Sunday (right) as water flooded the city
The colorful bridges above highway 59 towered over a bleak scene on Sunday (right), with large portions of the road under water
FEMA has around $3billion in its disaster relief fund but the sum is dwindling.
At a press conference mid-morning, Mayor Sylvester Turner pleaded for help from other cities and plugged charity relief funds to care for the thousands of Houston residents in crisis.
Two major dams which sit to the east of the city are being gradually drained by the army to stop them from overflowing.
The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs are both dangerously close to their capacities. With more rain on the way, US Army experts are racing the storm to release water from each dam.
The controlled release will send more water cascading in to the area of Buffalo Bayou, where freeways are entirely underwater.
It will stop an uncontrollable wave of water from rushing through homes.
The total cost of the damage has been put at $40 billion and FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has warned it will be take years for the city and coastal towns to recover.
As the situation became more grave, criticism of Mayor Turner’s decision not to evacuate the city grew.
When the storm began on Friday, Houston was not immediately hit. It was safe from the battering winds which tore apart towns on the coast and many felt confident enough to remain in their homes.
However as the storm moved further inland on Saturday and Saturday, floods – the likes of which the city has never before seen – swept through.
Another view of the theater district shows it dry (left) before the storm and completely submerged in water (right) afterwards
An aerial view of downtown Houston (left) and the same view after the Hurricane Harvey floods (right)
A home in the area of Cottage Grove, Houston, before and after the Hurricane Harvey floods swept through on Saturday
The coastal town of Rockport was spared severe flooding but was battered by 130mph winds on Friday night and Saturday morning
A home in Cottage Grove which is among flooded areas in Houston before (left) and after (right). There is still no mandatory evacuation order in place for the city
In Rockport, Texas, 130mph winds removed the dome roof of this building and battered the rest of its shell
The city woke up to a water world and many, with no alternative, swam to safety or climbed in to rescue boats.
Now, many are trapped in their homes with no way out. They have been left to wait for rescue boats but the situation is bleak.
Oliver Simpson, 35, a father of four from west Houston, is stuck in his home with his children. He told DailyMail.com on Monday: ‘It’s horrible. I feel helpless – sitting with no power and just waiting to see what happens. And we have it so much better than many others.
‘I have a neighbor who had a tree fall on his garage, it went across a gas line. There is a gas leak and despite calls to 911 still no one been out. That was at 4am this morning.
‘To be clear, authorities are doing everything they can [there are] just many people in far worse situation than us.’
Mayor Turner is now asking anyone with a boat to help with the rescue efforts. Many Texans responded bravely to his call to arms and were out in force on Saturday saving vulnerable neighbors and strangers from the floods.
‘The goal is rescue. That’s the major focus for the day. We want to focus on getting them out of their homes or whatever their stressful situation may be,’ he said.
With 911 operation centers inundated, panicked residents turned to social media to be saved.
They shared pictures of frightened children cowering on kitchen work tops as water covered the floors of their homes.
Heartbreaking photographs from nursing homes showed elderly residents floating around in their wheelchairs and hospital beds. President Trump is scheduled to visit Texas on Tuesday.
As the devastation continues to unfold, authorities are now turning their attention to fundraising efforts.
The Red Cross has launched a designated relief fund (which can be found here) and there will be a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund organized by the City of Houston.
Celebrities shared their thoughts and prayers for the city’s residents en masse but were taken to task by actor Kevin Hart who, after pledging $25,000 to relief funds, called on a number of stars including Jay Z, Beyonce, Jerry Seinfeld and Justin Timberlake, to make donations.
To donate to the Red Cross Hurricane Harvey relief fund, click here or call 1-800-435-7669.
Good Samaritans have come out in force and, in some cases, from other states.
Alexandre Jorge evacuates Ethan Colman from his home in Houston on Monday
Jose Garcia carries Heidi, his German Shepherd, to safety after fleeing their home in Houston on Monday
The pair hitched a ride on Murphy Fire Department’s Todd Herrington’s boat on Monday morning
A family uses toys to safely push a young relative through water as they carry umbrellas after fleeing their home in Houston
Residents flee their homes in Houston on Monday as flood waters continue to rise in parts of the city
Residents hitch a ride on a construction vehicle with children hiding inside next to the driver to try to stay warm
Some residents maintained their smiles despite the treacherous conditions and waved for news photographers as they fled their homes
New mother Shardea Harrison watches over her three-week-old baby as she is rescued from her home by Dean Mize and Jason Legnon
Houston Fire Department’s Dive Team power through flood water in a motor boat looking for people who need to be saved
Apartment residents flee their home in North Braeswood Boulevard as the flood waters continue to rise on Monday
Two men carry their belongings across a flooded road after fleeing their apartment in North Braeswood Boulevard on Monday
Volunteer Dean Mize holds on to two frightened and soaking children as he and his friend Jason Lengon rescue more stranded residents on their boat
Belinda Penn carries her two dogs from a boat after being rescued from their home in Houston on Sunday
FAMILY OF 6 ‘DROWNS IN THEIR VAN TRYING TO ESCAPE’
Six members of the same family died by drowning in their van as they tried to escape Harvey’s floods on Saturday, according to other members of the family.
KHOU reports that the victims – four children under the age of 16 and their grandparents – were traveling in a van being driven by their great uncle near Greens Bayou when they ran into trouble.
Six members of a family – including Xavier Saldivar (left), 8, and his sister Daisy (right), 6, as well as their siblings and great-grandparents – died in the Hurricane Harvey floods Monday
They had just crossed a bridge in Houston when their van was swept away by strong flood-water currents. Devy Saldivar (left), 16, and her brother Dominic (right), 14, also died
Their great-grandparents Manuel and Belia Saldivar (pictured), aged 81 and 83, respectively, also drowned. The driver – the children’s great-uncle – survived the accident
He was able to escape as water rushed in to the vehicle but the others could not and he watched as they perished in the water, other relatives said.
The official death toll on Saturday was two – meaning authorities have so far been able to confirm two deaths. They are inundated with crisis situations, however and are therefore redirecting attention to rescuing people who are trapped.
This makes it difficult to deliver an exact number but the total was reported as five on Sunday.
The family’s deaths bring this to 11.
As the kind-hearted rushed to save strangers from rising waters, a small crop of evil, opportunist scammers popped up.
One viral social media post for distressed residents advised anyone seeking the help of emergency services to call a phone number DailyMail.com is not publishing. The phone number led vulnerable callers to Foremost, a private insurance company.
There have been four arrests for looting in Houston so far and more disruption is feared.
Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, who are Houston residents, escaped the disaster and are in Maine. They released a statement on Monday expressing their gratitude for the emergency services.
‘Barbara and I are in Maine but our hearts are in Houston.
‘We are praying for all of our fellow Houstonians and Texans affected by Harvey, and truly inspired by the flotilla of volunteers — Points of Light all — who are answering the call to help their neighbors.
‘We salute them, the first responders, and the local elected officials for their grit and determination in the face of this extraordinary storm. This we know: Houston, and Texas, will come together and rebuild,’ they said.
FEMA has advised that 30,000 people will be displaced and in need of shelter.
At a news conference, administrator Brock Long said: ‘The sheltering mission is going to be a very heavy lift.
‘We need citizens to be involved. You could not draw this forecast up, you could not dream this forecast up.’
Creative residents used kiddie pools to transport their belongings through the flood water in swamped residential streets
The water level continues to rise in Houston, with more water expected to cascade through the city’s streets as authorities release water from two major dams which sit on the city’s outskirts