Historic Flooding Hits Houston as Storm System Moves on; 7 States Affected
HOUSTON, May 26 (UPI) — A storm system has triggered flash-flood watches and warnings across seven states Tuesday, and brought historic flooding to Houston.
Up to eight inches of rain fell on Houston in less than 24 hours, according to the city’s emergency management coordinator, Rick Flanagan. More than 80,000 people were without power and schools were closed.
Flood watches and warnings were in effect early Tuesday in parts of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi, NBC News reported.
At least eight people have been killed and 12 are missing due to the severe weather since Saturday.
The Houston-area counties of Harris and Fort Bend are expected to receive more rainfall on Tuesday.
“This continues to be an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the National Weather Service said. “Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster on Monday in 24 counties.
Up to six inches of rain was expected to fall over central and southern Louisiana in the coming days, according to CNN. Flooding has also been reported in central and northeast Kansas, damaging roads.
