Tropical Storm Harvey: Confirmed Tornado In Louisiana As State Awaits Heavy Rains

Hurricane Harvey made its landfall along the Texas coast Friday night and by Saturday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center had downgraded Harvey to a tropical storm, however the danger has far from passed and rainfall from the event could last well into next week, bringing heavy rain and catastrophic flooding that is expected to impact Louisiana.

In Texas, details of the extent of the damage was unclear but photos and videos showed devastating scenes from Corpus Christi and Rockport, both located along the coast where the hurricane landed. While the storm has been downgraded, the National Hurricane Center is warning affected citizens not to rest easy and they say a "catastrophic flooding event" is now unfolding.

In the latest advisory issued by the NHC, officials say the storm is expected to produce 5 to 15 inches of rain in southwest and central Louisiana. The NHC warns that this amount of rainfall could will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flooding.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards had already declared a state of emergency statewide ahead of the storm and at least 18 other parishes in the state have declared a state of emergency. At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Edwards updated residents on what effect the storm is expected to have on Louisiana. Forecasters have said the storm will stall on top of Texas and produce tremendous amounts of rain and Edwards said parts of central and south central Louisiana would see between 7 to 13 inches of rain.

The NHC is also warning of possible tornadoes today and tonight in far southwest Louisiana. Edwards said there had already been one confirmed tornado in Hackberry and while there was reported property damage, there have not been any reports of injuries or death. And the Coast Guard is searching for a person who fell of a fishing vessel in Cameron Parish.

So far, parts of Cameron Parish are under a mandatory evacuation order while voluntary evacuation orders are in place for parts of Vermillion and Calcasieu Parish.

Edwards warned residents not to become complacent. He said that while it is difficult to predict what will happen next, the storm itself is not expected to reenter the gulf and enter Louisiana.

Photo by David J. Phillip/Associated Press