PHOTOS: Hurricane Harvey slams into the Texas coast

<p><a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Harvey" target="_blank">Hurricane Harvey</a>&nbsp;is barreling straight toward the Texas coast.</p><p>And when it makes landfall, it could be the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. in more than a decade.</p><p>The hurricane strengthened into&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/hurricanes/article/Harvey-impacts-Texas-Latest-tropical-weather-11953474.php" target="_blank">a Category 2 storm</a>&nbsp;overnight Thursday. And it&#39;s expected to become even more powerful as it inches closer to Texas.</p><p><a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/AL092017_key_messages.png" target="_blank">Forecasters predict</a>&nbsp;Hurricane Harvey will pummel the Texas coast as a Category 3 storm with at least 111 mph winds, up to 35 inches of rain and life-threatening storm surge flooding.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/typhoon-hato-causes-death-damage-in-china/">Deadly Typhoon Hato Wreaks Physical And Economic Damage In China</a></b></p><p>The last time a storm that strong hit the U.S. was back in 2005, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/key/wilma" target="_blank">Hurricane Wilma wreaked havoc</a>&nbsp;on Florida.</p><p>Hurricane Harvey is projected to make landfall between Corpus Christi and Matagorda on Friday night or early Saturday morning.</p><p>Officials in several counties issued evacuation orders, and many residents are making last-minute preparations as the storm approaches.</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/students-invite-coulter-yiannopoulos-and-bannon-to-berkeley/">Coulter And Yiannopoulos Are Headed To Berkeley For &#039;Free Speech Week&#039;</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/un-is-alarmed-by-racist-events-in-us-gives-stern-warning/">UN Warns US To Fight Racism After Charlottesville</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/new-lawsuit-aims-to-give-chicago-police-reform-some-teeth/">Lawyer Behind Chicago Police Lawsuit Explains Need For Court Oversight</a></li></ul>