UPDATE as of 4pm PST: According to the National Hurricane Center, Harvey has strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane.
Texas Governor Greg Abbot is warning people in low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast to evacuate due to Hurricane Harvey. The massive hurricane is forecast to make landfall along the Gulf Coast late Friday, or early Saturday morning as a Category 3 hurricane with massive storm surges, rain, and winds expected.
The governor didn't mince words during a press conference held as the massive storm bore down on the Gulf Coast. Rain is expected to fall on the Texas Gulf Coast for several days in a row, with up to 35 inches forecast. Besides the incredible winds and huge storm surges, Abbot says he's also concerned about possible tornadoes generating from Harvey. Flooding, one expert said, could be "the depths of which we've never seen."
Abbot adds that Harvey will be a "detailed disaster" saying he has requested help from federal agencies and President Donald Trump. Over thirty Texas agencies are responding to the storm including Texas Military Forces.
All state parks will remain open to evacuees free of charge if they were relocated and need a place to stay. AirBNB has also launched an initiative to help people who have been forced out of their homes from coastal areas.