AKIPRESS.COM - At least five deaths and more than a dozen injuries have been reported in the aftermath of Harvey, the hurricane that tore across the Gulf Coast of Texas over the weekend, U.S. media report.

On Sunday the powerful system, now a tropical storm, pounded the region with torrential rains that were expected to continue for days, causing catastrophic floods, according to the National Hurricane Center, NYT reported.

The public hospital for Harris County, which includes Houston, began evacuating patients after flooding disrupted its power supply.

This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/IjpWLey1h8

— NWS (@NWS) August 27, 2017

The National Weather Service forecast rainfall of 15 to 25 inches through Friday, with as much as 50 inches in a few areas.

The Coast Guard said Sunday it rescued more than 100 people from rooftops and conducted more than 2,000 multiperson rescues, with three-boat teams searching block-by-block for stranded residents, USA Today reported.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo tweeted Sunday afternoon that his department had completed 90 flood rescue missions taking 1,100 residents to safety.

The Red Cross is prepared to manage 1,000 people at the convention center. Authorities throughout Houston and the surrounding Harris County area are opening shelters as thousands continue to evacuate their homes due to severe flooding, Fox News reported.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Sunday afternoon that Texas has now activated 3,000 National and State Guard members to combat the severe flooding and damage resulting from the storm. Abbott added that 500 vehicles and 14 aircraft have been put into service.