Harvey is now a tropical storm with sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kmh). It made landfall on Texas's eastern coast, the eye striking the town of Rockport, as a Category 4 hurricane. It's the strongest storm to hit the state since 1961. Harvey is expected to maintain tropical storm strength, with heavy rains and flooding, for at least four days. (National Hurricane Center)(The New York Times)(BBC)(Houston Chronicle)
Two people in Texas are confirmed dead with many more reported injured. Authorities are unable to visit the hardest hit area so the toll of dead and injured is expected to rise.(The Dallas Morning News)(Yahoo!)
At GovernorGreg Abbott's request, President Trump issues a disaster proclamation for the state, freeing up federal aid for the worst-affected areas. (The New York Times)
Downtown Houston has collected about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) of rain with 7 inches (18 cm) recorded in some areas. Nearly 9 inches (23 cm) was tallied in First Colony early this morning. The National Hurricane Center predicts up to 30 inches (76 cm) of rain and isolated totals as high as 40 inches (100 cm) by the time the storm leaves. (The Dallas Morning News)(Houston Chronicle²)
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) announces that the 2017 Great Alaska Shootout, a national college basketball tournament, will be the final competition of the 40-year-old series. UAA blames economic conditions for the termination of the long running, national competition. (ESPN)