Five people have died and thousands have been displaced after category four Hurricane Harvey ripped through southern Texas this weekend. Devastating floods followed.
Celebrities have taken to social media to express their concern for the people of the Lone Star State.
Houston native Beyonce was one of the first as she shared a black-and-white Instagram photo of the state flag with the message: ‘Texas you are in my prayers.’
She has a heart: Houston native Beyonce was one of the first to send a note on social media to the victims of the Texas hurricane and subsequent floods
Touching: The singer shared a black-and-white Instagram photo of the state flag with the message: ‘Texas you are in my prayers’
San Antonio native Eva Longoria wrote: ‘It wasn’t as bad as other areas of Texas. I’m praying for my home state and all those who are suffering through the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
‘Stay strong Texas and a big Texas size thank you to all the first responders, National Guard, Red Cross, volunteers, etc. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our hearts and capacity to help,’ she added.
Busy Philipps announced she donted to Save The Children: ‘Very easy thing I just did. You can too, if you’re so inclined. Text HARVEY to 90999 to donate 10 dollars to the @americanredcross for hurricane relief AND/OR text HURRICANE to 20222 to donate 25 dollars to @savethechildren. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of Hurricane Harvey. ‘
Her words: San Antonio native Eva Longoria wrote: ‘It wasn’t as bad as other areas of Texas. I’m praying for my home state and all those who are suffering through the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.’ Seen in West Hollywood last week
More from Eva: ‘Stay strong Texas and a big Texas size thank you to all the first responders, National Guard, Red Cross, volunteers, etc. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our hearts and capacity to help,’ she added
Miranda Lambert also reached out.
She shared a photo of a red, white and blue heart with the message.
The ex of Blake Shelton wrote: ‘Prayers, light and love for Texas! #home #hurricaneharvey.’
Her big heart: Miranda Lambert also reached out. She shared a photo of a red, white and blue heart with the message
Direct approach: Snatched actress Amy Schumer urged her followers to donate to the Red Cross. ‘Help those affected by Hurricane Harvey’
Schumer seen here in May
Snatched actress Amy Schumer urged her followers to donate to the Red Cross. ‘Help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.’
Bravo star Kim Zolciak added: ‘Texas you are in our thoughts are our prayers sending love #PrayersForTexas.’
Bachelor vet Sean Lowe, who lives in Texas, added: ‘Anyone in the dallas area have a small boat I can take to Houston to help with evacuations?
‘I’ll pay for the rental.’
Movie star Kevin Hart donated $25,000 for relief efforts in Texas.
The Get Hard actor took to social media to ask others to match his contribution.
The 38-year-old asked his celebrity pals The Rock, Steve Harvey, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Jerry Seinfeld to open their wallets.
Octavia Spencer said: ‘Praying for everyone in #HurricaneHarveys path. Be safe everyone!’
Former chat show host Chelsea Handler wrote, ‘Oh, god. I’m praying for these people in Texas.
Generous: Movie star Kevin Hart donated $25,000 for relief efforts in Texas. The Get Hard actor took to social media to ask others to match his contribution
Sweet words from a Housewife: Bravo star Kim Zolciak added: ‘Texas you are in our thoughts are our prayers sending love #PrayersForTexas’
Caring: Ellen DeGeneres tweeted, ‘If you are in the path of #HurricaneHarvey, please be safe…’ Here she is seen with Pink at the VMAs on Sunday
‘To all of those who can afford to help the elderly and poor leave, please help them.’
Josh Gad of Frozen fame tweeted: ‘To everyone in Texas. Please be careful and heed advisories. As a South Floridian, I know the power of these storms all too well.’
Ellen DeGeneres tweeted, ‘If you are in the path of #HurricaneHarvey, please be safe and know the whole country is thinking of you.’
Elizabeth Banks typed: ‘Everybody stay safe today.’
Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda said, ‘Texas, we are thinking about you and we love you and we’re here for you. Be safe.’
Marlee Matlin offered, ‘Those in path of #HurricaneHarvey please stay safe. Reach out to @RedCross for updates & shelter info.’
Former The Talk show star Rosie O’Donnell said: ‘Prayers and well wishes to all of texas – take care of yourself and your neighbors.’
He wanted to help: Former Bachelor star Sean Lowe wanted to get hands on
Newsman Dan Rather noted, ‘Hurricane Harvey. No longer any doubt, it’s major. Texas coast will be hard hit, as Far East as New Orleans and beyond will feel effects.’
Michael Ian Black tweeted, ‘Sincere hope Trump’s FEMA office is ready to deal with Hurricane Harvey. Odds suggest they’ll get something right. Please let this be it.’
Ron Perlman noted: ‘Yo Donnie, please head down to the Texas coast without an umbrella for a day or 2 and then tell us about how we need some global warming!’
Singer Sheryl Crow wrote: ‘Texas, you are in my prayers.’
Giving: Marlee Matlin offered, ‘Those in path of #HurricaneHarvey please stay safe. Reach out to @RedCross for updates & shelter info’
Her note: Chelsea Handler wrote, ‘Oh, god. I’m praying for these people in Texas. To all of those who can afford to help the elderly and poor leave, please help them’
Handler in early August in LA
Piper Perabo noted, ‘Hurricane Harvey is proof that Trump administration denial of climate change puts people in danger. #DenierInChief.’
First Lady Melania Trump shared: ‘For those living near the path of #HurricaneHarvey stay safe! Thoughts & prayers of an entire country are with you.’
And President Donald Trump revealed, ‘I have spoken w/ @GovAbbott of Texas and @LouisianaGov Edwards. Closely monitoring #HurricaneHarvey developments & here to assist as needed.’
Catastrophic flooding overwhelming Houston and other parts of Texas will worsen in the coming days and then be slow to recede once Hurricane Harvey finally moves on, the director of the National Weather Service has warned.
Louis Uccellini said up to 20 inches (51cms) of rain could fall in the coming days, on top of the more than 30ins (76cms) some places have already seen.
He told a news conference that some of the heaviest rainfall on Monday, at a pace of six inches (15cms) an hour, will fall east of Houston in places such as Beaumont and Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Hearts: Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda said, ‘Texas, we are thinking about you and we love you and we’re here for you. Be safe’
Biting: Michael Ian Black tweeted, ‘Sincere hope Trump’s FEMA office is ready to deal with Hurricane Harvey. Odds suggest they’ll get something right. Please let this be it’
While Houston is currently experiencing a break from the rain, heavy downpours are forecast to return later Monday and into Tuesday.
Louisiana’s governor has asked US President Donald Trump for a federal emergency declaration for the state.
Governor John Bel Edwards said he sent a letter to the White House requesting the initial disaster declaration for five parishes in south-west Louisiana, and could add more areas to the request later.
He said life-saving efforts such as search and rescue and shelters will be needed, especially in south-west Louisiana where forecasters say 10 to 20 ins (25 to 51 cms) of rain could fall.
In charge: First Lady Melania Trump shared: ‘For those living near the path of #HurricaneHarvey stay safe! Thoughts & prayers of an entire country are with you.’ And President Donald Trump revealed, ‘I have spoken w/ @GovAbbott of Texas and @LouisianaGov Edwards. Closely monitoring #HurricaneHarvey developments & here to assist as needed’
Harvey, which made landfall late on Friday as a Category 4 hurricane and has lingered dropping heavy rain as a tropical storm, sent devastating floods pouring into Houston on Sunday.
Rising floodwater sent thousands of people clambering on to rooftops or higher ground and overwhelmed rescuers who could not keep up with the constant calls for help.
Harris and Fort Bend county officials initially said residents near the Addicks and Barker reservoirs should be prepared for the barrage of water about to be released.
Officials warned residents to pack up and leave.
Floating homes: Harvey, which made landfall late on Friday as a Category 4 hurricane and has lingered dropping heavy rain as a tropical storm, sent devastating floods pouring into Houston on Sunday