Houston chief worries about victims of Harvey floods

Crews overwhelmed by thousands of rescue calls during one of the heaviest downpours in U.S. history have had little time to search for other potential victims, but officials acknowledge the grim reality that fatalities linked to Harvey could soar once the devastating floodwaters recede from one of America’s most sprawling metropolitan centers.

Section:Gallery

Tue., Aug. 29, 2017

A woman is wheeled by first responders into the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter for evacuees escaping the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.

Lm Otero Associated Press
Volunteers Brenda Tcoc, right, and Hugo Wilson help sort bags of donated clothes for victims of the flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey after a shelter opened at the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.

Lm Otero Associated Press
People rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter for evacuees escaping the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.

Lm Otero Associated Press
Robert Salgado, center, sleep with relatives Jesse Alexander Leija, right, and Leliana Salgado on the floor at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter for evacuees escaping the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.

Lm Otero Associated Press
People line up for food as others rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter for evacuees escaping the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.

Lm Otero Associated Press
People rest at the George R. Brown Convention Center that has been set up as a shelter for evacuees escaping the floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017.

Lm Otero Associated Press
In this undated photo provided by Anheuser-Busch a man shows a canned water in Cartersville, Ga. The brewery is shipping canned drinking water to the American Red Cross to help Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas and Louisiana.
Felix Tijerina, right, and Andy Guerra, left, try to salvage items from their family home that was destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Rockport, Texas.

Eric Gay Associated Press
Lupe Tijerina, left, and Andy Guerra, center, and Felix Tijerina, right, work to salvage items from their family home that was destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Rockport, Texas.

Eric Gay Associated Press
William Loosemore works at his smoker as he prepares food for first responders, volunteer and those in need of a meal, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Rockport, Texas, where recovery after Hurricane Harvey continues. Loosemore is hoping President Donald Trump will stop by during his visit to Texas.

Eric Gay Associated Press
This Aug. 27, 2017 photo provided by the Texas Department of Transportation shows the the R.E. Stotzer Jr. a 20-vehicle ferry that is resting on the pile cluster at the ferry landing in Port Aransas, Texas. The South Texas ferry system operated by the state is closed to the public until further notice after at least two vessels were damaged during Harvey. The ferry system provides free transportation connecting travelers between Aransas Pass on the mainland and Port Aransas on Mustang Island.

Rickey Dailey Associated Press
Robert Pacheco tries to recover items from his trailer that way damaged in the wake of Harvey, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Rockport, Texas.

Eric Gay Associated Press
In this aerial photo, floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey surround an apartment complex on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston. Houston officials plan to open two or three more mega-shelters to accommodate people who continue to arrive at the overflowing George R. Brown Convention Center seeking refuge from Harvey's record-breaking flooding.

Brett Coomer Associated Press
In this aerial photo, water is released from the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters rise from Tropical Storm Harvey on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.

Brett Coomer Associated Press
Homes are flooded near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.

David J. Phillip Associated Press
Businesses and cars are flooded near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.

David J. Phillip Associated Press
Flooded cars near the Addicks Reservoir are shown as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.

David J. Phillip Associated Press
Residents evacuate their homes near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.

David J. Phillip Associated Press
Greg Ashley attaches a U.S. flag to a bicycle as he helps a friend recover items from his trailer that way damaged in the wake of Harvey, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Rockport, Texas.

Eric Gay Associated Press
President Donald Trump holds up a Texas flag after speaking with supporters outside Firehouse 5 Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, following a briefing on Harvey relief efforts.

Evan Vucci Associated Press
Airplanes sit at a flooded airport near the Addicks Reservoir as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston.

David J. Phillip Associated Press