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Three dead and 12 missing in Texas and Oklahoma in fierce storms and flooding Texas governor expands disaster zone caused by storms and flooding
(about 1 hour later)
Related: Record rainfall causes flooding and chaos in Texas and OklahomaRelated: Record rainfall causes flooding and chaos in Texas and Oklahoma
Severe weekend weather in Oklahoma and Texas showed no signs of letting up on Monday, as forecasters predicted continuing storms and possible tornadoes across the plains states. Severe weekend weather in Oklahoma and Texas showed no signs of letting up on Monday, as forecasters predicted more storms and possible tornadoes across the plains states.
At least three people were reported to have died and 12 were said to be missing. In Mexico, near the Texas border, 10 people died when a tornado hit the city of Ciudad Acuna at around 6.40am on Monday. Texas governor Greg Abbott expanded the emergency disaster zone in his state, adding 24 counties to a list of 13 already under an emergency disaster proclamation.
Photos from the scene showed cars with their hoods ripped off, resting upended against single-story houses. One car’s frame was bent around the gate of a house. A bus was flipped and crumpled on a roadway. “I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster,” he said in a statement.
In the US, storms covered the stretch of land from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes over the Memorial Day weekend. Oklahoma and Texas bore the brunt of the damage. At least three people have died and at least 12 are missing in Texas and Oklahoma, after the region was pummeled with tornadoes, heavy rain and flash floods.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Monday morning that the region would be hit by severe thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening. There was also a moderate chance of damaging winds, tornadoes and widespread hail, some baseball-sized. In Mexico, meanwhile, 10 people died when a tornado hit the border city of Ciudad Acuna at around 6.40am on Monday. Photos from the scene showed cars with their hoods ripped off, resting upended against single-story houses. One car’s frame was bent around the gate of a house. A bus was flipped and crumpled on a roadway.
At least three American residents have died in the storms. In Oklahoma, firefighter Jason Farley died after being swept into a storm drain while attempting to evacuate residents. A Tulsa woman died in a weather-related traffic accident. Texas officials confirmed that one person died in San Marcos – where at least 12 people are missing. In the US, storms covered land from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes over the Memorial Day weekend. Oklahoma and Texas bore the brunt of the damage.
May is the rainiest month on record in Oklahoma. Albert Ashwood, the state’s emergency management department director, warned about damage to roadways and cautioned against using the streets during a popular weekend for travel. Forecasters predicted more moderate storms through Monday, but already overwhelmed waterways and saturated grounds were more vulnerable to lighter weather conditions. The weather could also affect recovery and rescue missions, as emergency responders in Texas sought the 12 people missing in San Marcos, one of the hardest-hit cities.
High winds, thunderstorms and scattered hail were forecast for parts of southwest Arkansas and northwest Louisiana into Monday night. North Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth, was placed on tornado watch until 6pm.
At least three American residents have died in the storms. In Oklahoma, firefighter Jason Farley died after being swept into a storm drain while attempting to evacuate residents. A Tulsa woman died in a weather-related traffic accident. Texas officials confirmed that one person died in San Marcos.
May is now the rainiest month on record in Oklahoma. Albert Ashwood, the state’s emergency management department director, warned about damage to roadways and cautioned against using the streets during a popular weekend for travel.
“This is a holiday weekend, and Oklahomans want to get out and observe their Memorial Day traditions, but we are asking everyone to please exercise extreme caution in doing so,” Ashwood told the Oklahoman.“This is a holiday weekend, and Oklahomans want to get out and observe their Memorial Day traditions, but we are asking everyone to please exercise extreme caution in doing so,” Ashwood told the Oklahoman.
At least 2,000 Texas residents were forced out of their homes. The central part of the state was particularly hard hit, especially the cities of San Marcos and Wimberley, near the Blanco river – which has measured at 40ft, the highest it had reached since 2010. At least 2,000 Texas residents were forced out of their homes. The central part of the state was particularly hard hit, especially San Marcos and Wimberley, near the Blanco river – which has measured at 40ft, the highest it had reached since 2010.
The Hays County emergency management coordinator, Kharley Smith, estimated that 350 to 400 homes in Wimberley had been destroyed. Texas governor Greg Abbott was set to tour the ravaged city on Monday. The Hays County emergency management coordinator, Kharley Smith, estimated that 350 to 400 homes in Wimberley had been destroyed.
In Johnson County, just outside Dallas, residents grappled with the third large flood in four weeks that have also included the region’s largest earthquake and a mile-wide tornado.In Johnson County, just outside Dallas, residents grappled with the third large flood in four weeks that have also included the region’s largest earthquake and a mile-wide tornado.
Jamie Moore, the county’s emergency management coordinator, said the weather events were unprecedented in the area’s history.Jamie Moore, the county’s emergency management coordinator, said the weather events were unprecedented in the area’s history.
“People who lived here their entire lives can’t remember a spring like this,” the Dallas Morning News.“People who lived here their entire lives can’t remember a spring like this,” the Dallas Morning News.