‘Blasts’ at flooded chemical plant as Texas surveys storm wreckage

Two explosions were reported at a flooded Texas chemical plant near storm-battered Houston Thursday, just as the region began its slow recovery following Harvey's onslaught. Operators at the Arkema Inc facility said the Harris County Emergency Operations Center notified them at approximately 2:00am CDT , of "two explosions and black smoke" rising from the plant in Crosby, a town about 25 miles northeast of Houston.

Authorities brace for wave of hurricane-related fraud

As high water spreads from Houston through Texas and Louisiana, authorities are bracing for an inevitable wave of fraud and other criminal activity set into motion by Harvey's punishing rains. In a warning to those who would seek to defraud the government and people wanting to help or seeking assistance, a dozen federal and state agencies were banding together to investigate and prosecute wrongdoers.

The Latest: Girl, 3, found with drowned mom to go home today

Authorities say a 3-year-old girl who was found clinging to the body of her drowned mother in a rain-swollen canal in Southeast Texas is doing well and should be released from the hospital soon. Officer Carol Riley says the toddler, who was suffering from hypothermia when she was rescued Tuesday afternoon, has now been reunited with her family.

Trump’s Texas trip: As critics carp, he looks to be in charge

Donald Trump did what a president is supposed to do yesterday, visiting Corpus Christi for a briefing on hurricane relief efforts, talking up Texas and praising those on the front lines of the catastrophic flooding. As a levee was breached, reservoirs overflowed and Harvey dumped more rain on the battered Houston region, the president and his FEMA director demonstrated that the feds are coordinating with state and local officials in trying to aid the tens of thousands of displaced residents.

Federal Immigration Resources Assisting In Hurricane Response In Texas

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is deploying staff and equipment for search and rescue efforts and to work at local, state, and federal emergency operations centers in Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey. To encourage undocumented workers in need of assistance to come into shelters, FEMA issued a statement, "Hurricane Harvey Rumor Control," asking " all persons to follow the guidance of local officials and seek shelter regardless of their immigration status ."

Lawyers Gear Up to Help Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Residents from Bayou Parc at Oak Forest carry their belongings while evacuating the apartment complex during the Tropical Storm Harvey, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Houston. With Hurricane Harvey rains continuing to drench Houston, bar associations and legal aid organizations are gearing up to provide legal help to hurricane victims, and firms have pledged money to support aid even as their Houston offices remain closed .

Psaki: It’s too soon for Trump to go to Texas

Every helicopter supporting a Trump visit to Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey is a helicopter not picking survivors off rooftops. As President Donald Trump faces the first crisis of his presidency he fortunately has a chief of staff, John Kelly, who knows how to deal with emergency response, and a well-respected FEMA director in Brock Long leading an agency that has rebuilt itself since 2005's Hurricane Katrina.

Trump on Harvey funding: ‘You’re going to see very rapid action’

President Donald Trump said Monday he believes Congress will act quickly to provide disaster relief funding to the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Trump said he has "spoken to Congress" and said he believes funding for relief efforts will be approved "very, very quickly."