Rescuers search flooded Houston block-by-block

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The death toll from Harvey has risen to 39. The Harris County medical examiner has confirmed 25 Harvey-related deaths in the county.

Houston's fire department prepared Thursday to begin a block-by-block search of thousands of flooded homes in a city wrecked by Harvey.

The city's assistant fire chief, Richard Mann, said his department would ensure "no people were left behind."

Farther east, Beaumont and Port Arthur struggled with rising water after being pounded with what remained of the weakening storm, which was downgraded to a Tropical Depression.

Beaumont has lost its water supply due to the Neches River flooding, forcing residents to form long lines to buy water only with the use of a credit or debit card.

Pasadena ISD released the following statement on its Facebook page:

Harris County Flood Control District announced a controlled release of the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs had begun late Sunday. The process will add more water to already-flooded roads,

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF NEIGHBORHOODS AFFECTED BY RESERVOIR RELEASE.

There are still several areas underwater and while in most areas the waters are starting to recede there are others where the run off is adding to the problem and creeks and rivers are rising.

CLICK HERE FOR CREEKS, BAYOUS AND RIVERS FLOOD FORECAST

"We are getting calls from across the country and right here in our hometown, and the generosity of people who understand this disaster is truly amazing," said Mayor Turner. "Together we can make a difference to those who will need extensive help to get back on their feet once this storm is over."

Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced on Monday that he and the team would donate $4 million to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

The Houston Texans preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, originally scheduled to take place at NRG Stadium in Houston, will be relocated to AT&T Stadium in Arlington with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT.

Governor Greg Abbott has added the following Texas counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted earlier by Federal Emergency Management Agency:

"Our partners at the federal level have stood ready to answer the call for help from Texas, and I am thankful for their assistance as we continue to assess the situation in expanded areas across our state," said Governor Abbott. "Many parts of Eastern Texas, especially in and around Houston, are experiencing historic flooding causing the need to grow for additional resources that will allow us to answer the call for help from our fellow Texans. I thank those at FEMA for their attention to the severity of the situation in Texas and the people of this great state for coming together in this time of need."

"These communities have suffered a great deal because of this catastrophic storm, but Texans are resilient by nature and will make it through this tough time," said Gov. Abbott. "Resources are being made available to these counties to help Texans get their lives back on track. The state will continue to do everything in its power to engage in the recovery effort and assist those in need of relief."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is defending his decision not to ask residents to evacuate before the heavy rain from Tropical Storm Harvey swamped roads and neighborhoods across the nation's fourth-largest city.

Turner says at a news conference Sunday that there was no way to pinpoint which neighborhoods would be worst hit. He says every neighborhood has received at least some flooding.

He says, "If you think the situation right now is bad and you give an order to evacuate, you are creating a nightmare."

Turner asked people to stay in their homes and not drive if at all possible. Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena says authorities have made more than 250 vehicle rescues in the storm.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says emergency personnel have responded to more than 2,000 calls to 911 for rescues in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. He said priority was being given to life-threatening calls.

The Harris County medical examiner has confirmed 5 Harvey-related deaths in the county as of 6 p.m. Tuesday. This count includes the death of a Houston Police Department officer who drowned in flood waters.

Tropical Storm Harvey slammed Houston with devastating floods pouring into the nation's fourth-largest city, dropping nearly 24" across the Houston-area. Tropical Storm Harvey dropped as much as 24" of rainfall across this area.

Aransas County Judge C.H. 'Burt' Mills Jr. says there is one confirmed death from Harvey in the coastal city of Rockport.

The tropical system appears to have triggered dangerous potential tornadoes in northwest Harris County where Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said they touched down at least four times with extensive damage in the Lone Oak subdivision near the Berry Cehter.

A man who went into distress while attempting to swim across floodwaters in Montgomery County is presumed dead, the sheriff's office says.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office released this statement:

Keep informed with FOX 26 News updates on Hurricane Harvey.