After a few days, it became a Category 5, only to be downgraded to a Category 4 by Sept. 11, when it made landfall on Matagorda Island, a 38-mile (61-kilometer) barrier island on the Texas Gulf coast, according to the National Weather Service.

If that storm hadn't shifted course just hours before making landfall, it would have inundated the Clear Lake area and the Johnson Space Center, causing unfathomable damage to the Bayport Industrial Complex.

"The addition of these counties to the state disaster declaration will continue to allow Texas to quickly deploy all available resources to those affected by this devastating storm", said Governor Abbott.

The National Hurricane Center said "rainfall of this magnitude will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flooding".

The Port of Texas City said it expects to reopen within 24 to 48 hours after assessing for damages. KIII-TV reports that 10 people have been treated there. But as of Saturday morning, forecasters have shifted their attention to tracking the storm's potentially epic deluge.

Coltan Wilkie arrived at his host family's home Wednesday to prepare for his season with the Corpus Christi Ice Rays.

It's one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the U.S.in more than a decade and the first Category 4 storm to make landfall since Hurricane Charley in 2004.

But that's while the storm remains lodged in Texas.

Harvey smashed ashore as a Category 4 hurricane on Friday near Rockport, Texas. Central pressure of 938 millibars makes it the 6 lowest central pressure for any land falling hurricane in the U.S. since 1851.

On Saturday afternoon, Rockport officials said that one person was dead in the town that was especially hard hit by the storm. Upwards of 3 feet of rain is likely in some areas which will send every creek, stream, river, and lake over its banks.

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to reassure Americans that the government were in control. "As families begin the difficult recovery process, we want them to know Lowe's will work closely with the Red Cross and our other partners to support their rebuilding efforts every step of the way".

Bills have been introduced in Congress to close the funding gap by hiking premiums. The Texans had spent most of this week in New Orleans because the team had joint practices with the Saints.

At a convenience store in Houston's Meyerland neighborhood, at least 12 cars lined up for fuel. Harvey has triggered flash floods, the NWS said. "I started screaming, oh my God, oh my God", said Marilyn Shaughnessy. "I've been through several hurricanes".

It may also spawn tornadoes.

A motorist drives through heavy rain Friday before the approaching.

As workers were trying for quick repairs on the rooftops, gusts of wind made it even tougher. "I'm sure there are plenty of places". Gasoline prices are poised to rise steadily higher depending on the severity of the damage and length of outages.

State officials said they had no count on how many people actually left their homes.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Friday that President Trump may travel to Texas early next week.

Harvey weakened to tropical storm from hurricane strength yesterday, the US National Hurricane Centre said.