In the United States, floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey have swallowed entire Texas cities. Texas' Governor Greg Abbott said that the worst is not yet over for the south-east of the US state. He said rain continues to fall and flooding in certain areas may last another week. <br/><br/>Mr. Abbott informed that more than 8,500 people have been rescued and more than 32,000 people are in shelters throughout the state. He said that entire Texas National Guard, which is made up of roughly 12,000 troops has been activated. <br/><br/>State, local and military rescue units have rescued thousands of stranded residents from the water and deluged homes, he added.<br/><br/>More than 20 people are reported dead and large parts of Houston, Port Arthur and Beaumont are under water. The storm has now moved to neighbouring Louisiana, where flash-flood warnings have been issued.<br/><br/>Military forces are on standby to assist in the rescue efforts. The Navy announced yesterday that Two US Navy warships, the USS Kearsarge and the USS Oak Hill, are being deployed to Texas. <br/><br/>The Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship, was in the Atlantic Ocean for training, but returned to Norfolk on Tuesday to load up with disaster relief supplies like water and food, and a unit of Marines, before departing for Texas today.