Harvey’s waters continue to rise as cities prepare to take in stranded residents

The rains from Tropical Storm Harvey pounded the Houston region on Monday, stranding thousands of residents — many on rooftops — awaiting rescue. Floodwaters are expected to continue rising for days.

Officials scrambled to reach stranded people, urging boat owners to pitch in on an enormous and frantic rescue. And with nearly two feet of rain still expected, the authorities worried the worst was yet to come.

More than 450,000 people are likely to seek federal aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency believes that some 30,000 people will seek emergency shelter and that federal aid will be needed for years.

On Monday, local officials said the death toll has rose to 10. On Monday evening, Harvey had drifted to the Texas coastline Monday and strengthened ever so slightly near the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Hurricane Center said the storm’s peak winds, had increased from 40 to 45 miles per hour. But it stressed rain, not wind, was expected to be the main hazard of concern.

The White House announced that President Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, would be visiting Texas on Tuesday. They will arrive in Corpus Christi in the morning for a briefing on relief efforts, and then head to Austin for a tour of the Emergency Operations Center and a briefing with state leaders.