At least 19 dead in Texas and Oklahoma floods as more rain threatens region

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/27/texas-heavy-rains-potential-flooding-people-missing

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At least 19 people have died since the weekend during torrential downpours in Texas and Oklahoma as parts of the deluged region brace for another dangerous turn, with forecasters warning of the potential for flash flooding from storms that could bring as much as 3 more inches of rain.

Numerous people remain missing in Texas after storms swept away homes, submerged roadways and stranded drivers during the Memorial Day weekend. Flood waters in many areas had briefly receded on Tuesday following fair, sunny weather, but with scattered overnight showers and predictions of more flash flooding, officials and forecasters are warning residents to stay off the roads and remain vigilant.

“A lot of folks drove their car into high water and had to abandon those vehicles,” Houston mayor Annise Parker said at a news conference.

At least four people died in Houston, where storms led to about 1,000 calls for help. Two of the dead in Houston were found in their cars and another two were found in a bayou. Parker said at least 4,000 residential properties have been damaged in the city.

The Oklahoma medical examiner’s office said six people died in weather-related incidents over the holiday weekend in the state.

Though Parker said parts of the city were unscathed, more than 1,000 vehicles were submerged in the Houston floods and people took instead to bicycles, kayaks and surfboards to navigate water-covered streets.

Flash flood warnings are in place until mid-morning in parts of Texas, including Liberty, Harris, Waller, Montgomery and Chambers counties, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters predict waterlogged Houston will be pummeled by more rains in excess of 3in on Wednesday morning.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and the communities that have been affected by some of these devastating, record-breaking floods,” President Barack Obama said on Tuesday. Obama pledged to provide federal assistance to the damaged region.

Prompted by the threat of more storms, Texas governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday night extended an emergency disaster declaration to 24 counties in Texas. Abbott has declared a state of emergency in at least 40 counties. The declaration allows the state to use all resources “reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster”.

Related: Texas flash floods cause death and destruction - in pictures

“It’s devastating to see what I saw on the Blanco river when this tidal wave of water just swept away neighborhoods,” Abbott said, referring to a disaster area in central Texas.

Houston residents are being asked to avoid unnecessary travel in areas of high water, and areas impacted by the storms.

Houston resident Dutch Small, 40, climbed on to the roof of his car when the water came up to his knees inside his vehicle and was eventually rescued by a passing tow truck driver.

“It happened so fast. Every person that died in the flooding, I know what was going through their minds. They didn’t measure the threat accurately. They were like me,” Small said.

The National Weather Service issued tornado and thunderstorm watches for later on Tuesday and said more rain was expected this week in Texas and Oklahoma.

More than 200 flights had been cancelled by early Tuesday evening at airports in Houston and Dallas, some of the nation’s busiest, as blocked roads made it difficult for workers to get to their jobs. A sinkhole closed a runway at Dallas/Fort Worth international airport.

Roughly 100,000 customers lost power throughout the state after the storm due to high winds and rising waters that snapped power poles.

In Houston about 11in (28cm) of rain fell on Monday, while parts of Austin were hit by as much as 7in. Helicopter crews in both cities plucked to safety people who had been stranded in cars and on top of buildings.