Texas AG Paxton Urges Residents Not to Venture Out

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Saturday afternoon asked that people in locations hit by Hurricane Harvey remain in place, rather than venture out to examine the damages to their communities.

"It would be better for us if they would stay safe, and it also allows first responders to get where they need [to be] and keeps them from having to deal with new people," Paxton told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield. "So obviously, we prefer, especially in places like Rockport, Ingleside, Port Aransas, some of the worst-hit areas, we prefer people stay in their homes and stay safe for now."

Paxton, who was being interviewed near Austin, said there were some of the remnants of Harvey hitting the community there at the inland city, which borders Texas' Hill Country region.

"Certainly, it's gusts of wind, lots of rain, and obviously we're expecting that for days," said Paxton.

Trump on Friday signed a disaster proclamation which "unleashes the full force of government help" shortly before Harvey made landfall, and Paxton said state and local officials are grateful that the designation was made early.

"That allows us to get equipment in here, financial resources and allows us to know with certainty that we have those resources," said Paxton. "I think it's making a tremendous difference for our efforts going forward, knowing we have all the resources we need and the president has promised whatever we need, we have."

The attorney general did not have complete reports about people being in trouble who remained in place as the massive Category 4 hurricane made landfall.

"My last report was that first responders were going in early this morning to try to find some of these people and attempt some rescue efforts," said Paxton.

Three prisons were also affected by the storm, with prisoners being evacuated away from major flooding, and Paxton said there is always a contingency plan in place for all kinds of potential disasters that could affect prisons.

"They usually have back locations where they can take them," said Paxton. "Obviously, with weather conditions like they are, it makes it a little difficult."

But, he stressed, Texas is not new to hurricanes and there are plans in place.

"We've been successful dealing with them in the past," he said. "Obviously, this is the worst that maybe in any of us have seen, given how long the storm may stay around. But we have plans in place. I think you'll see as the governor [Greg Abbott] works this through with the president, we'll do well at handling a lot of the issues we're dealing with."