In pictures: Texas battered by Hurricane Harvey

Brad Matheney offers help to a man in a wheelchair in a flooded street in GalvestonAFP

Forcecasters are now warning of 'catastrophic flooding'

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas late on Friday local time, arriving with life-threatening winds and the risk of severe flooding.

Gales of up to 130mph (215 km/h) battered the coast.

The hurricane - the worst to hit the US mainland in 13 years - has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, due to decreasing wind speeds, but it is moving slowly.

It has left significant damage, with the town of Rockport one of the worst affected.

Vehicles and buildings were destroyed at the town's airport....

Destroyed vehicles and buildings at Rockport AirportAFP

...as were several light planes.

A light plane sits upside down at Rockport AirportAFP

Rockport was directly hit overnight.

The town's mayor had said before the storm hit that anyone staying should write their names and social security numbers on their arms, suggesting they were putting themselves in a high-risk situation.

A Rockport firefighter goes door to door on a search and rescue mission as he looks for people that may need helpGetty Images
A woman walks away from a destroyed apartment buildingGetty Images
Jessica Campbell hugs Jonathan Fitzgerald (L-R) after riding out Hurricane Harvey in an apartment on August 26, 2017 in Rockport, TexasGetty Images
A man tries to kick open a door of an apartment to find his friendsGetty Images

Residents in the coastal city of Corpus Christi experienced a citywide power failure overnight on Friday.

Stewart Adams, of San Marcos, Texas, battles the winds in Corpus Christi U.S. on 25 August, 2017Reuters
Local residents sit at the bar in the dark after a citywide power failure as Hurricane Harvey hit Corpus Christi, Texas, on August 25, 2017AFP/Getty Images

On Saturday, they woke up to deserted streets, and scenes of damage that the storm had caused, including house fires.

But the town was spared the kind of devastation seen in Rockport.

A burnt out house and cars that caught fire are seen after Hurricane Harvey hit Corpus Christi, Texas on August 26, 2017AFP
A white SUV car is seen submergedAFP

On Friday, before landfall, the sight of the roiling seas drew curious locals and storm-chasers, though most then moved to places of safety.

A resident photographs the beach in Corpus ChristiAFP/Getty

Many people left the city and businesses were boarded up to prevent damage.

Sign on a business reading "closed for Harvey"Getty Images

Authorities now warn of "catastrophic" floods in coming days, as torrential rains continue.

High rainfall of more than 10 inches has already been seen in several areas.

There has been flooding in Galveston.

People walk dogs through flooded streets as the effects of Hurricane Henry are seen August 26, 2017 in Galveston, TexasAFP

And Port Lavaca.

Floodwaters outside a house in Port LavacaReuters

Residents in the city of Houston - the country's fourth-largest city - have been stocking up on essential supplies, leaving supermarket shelves bare.

Authorities warn that in the Houston area, the most severe weather is yet to come.

Woman looks over bare refrigerator shelves in a Walmart in HoustonReuters

Harvey has severely hampered Gulf of Mexico oil production and air travel.

About 45% of US oil refining takes place on the Gulf of Mexico coast

An oil tank was damaged near Seadrift, a city in Calhoun County.

An oil tank damaged by Hurricane Harvey is seen near Seadrift, Texas, August 26, 2017Reuters

Images posted by Nasa have revealed what the storm looks like from the space.

This photo was taken by astronaut Jack Fischer, from the International Space Station.

This NASA image from August 25, 2017, taken by NASA astronaut Jack Fischer shows Hurricane Harvey (top) from the cupola module aboard the International Space Station.AFP/NASA

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