Throughout the region between Corpus Christi and Houston, many people feared that toll was only the beginning.
Authorities did not know the full scope of damage because weather conditions prevented emergency crews from getting into the hardest-hit places.
And they dreaded the destruction that was yet to come from a storm that could linger for days and unload more than 40 inches (100 centimeters) of rain on cities, including dangerously flood-prone Houston, the nation's fourth-largest.
"I can tell you I have a very bad feeling and that's about it," said Mayor Charles Bujan, who had called for a mandatory evacuation but did not know how many heeded the order.
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Some of the worst damage appeared to be in Rockport, a coastal city of about 10,000 that was directly in the storm's path. The mayor said his community took a blow "right on the nose" that left "widespread devastation," including homes, businesses and schools that were heavily damaged. Some structures were destroyed.
Harvey's relentless wind tore the metal sides off the high school gym and twisted the steel door frame of its auditorium.