Thousands evacuate as Hurricane Harvey bears down on Texas

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (KUNA) -- Thousands of people began evacuating in Texas on Friday as Hurricane Harvey headed toward the state, posing a risk of catastrophic flooding and loss of life.
The Category 3 storm was expected to hit with heavy rains, 125 mile-per-hour winds and up to 12-foot storm surges, the National Weather Service said.
Homeowners, businesses and government officials were rushing to prepare for the worst. Counties along the Texas coast ordered residents to leave, oil workers were fleeing the Gulf of Mexico and schools were closing, officials said.
President Donald Trump received a briefing on the storm Friday from federal emergency officials, the White House announced.
The storm will likely be very destructive for several days, the announcement said.
Trump "encourages people in the path of this dangerous storm to heed the advice and orders of their local and state officials," the White House said.
Those who ignore evacuation orders could be putting themselves and first responders in danger, the statement said. (end) rm.sd