Widespread flooding caused by heavy rains in Texas and Oklahoma left 17 dead and 40 missing or unaccounted for, in addition to more than 4,000 damaged properties and 2,500 abandoned vehicles in the Houston area alone, Mayor Annise Parker said Tuesday afternoon.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in an afternoon press conference that the disaster declarations in the state stretch from "literally the Red River to the Rio Grande."
The Associated Press reported twelve of the deaths occurred in Texas, and five in Oklahoma.
Storms dumped record rainfall on the Plains and Midwest, caused major flooding and spawned tornadoes, including one twister that killed 13 people in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Acuna, the Associated Press reported.
The water continued rising overnight as about 11 more inches of rain fell, much of it in a six-hour period.
The floodwaters affected virtually every part of Houston and paralyzed some areas. Firefighters carried out more than 500 water rescues, most involving stranded motorists. At least 2,500 vehicles were abandoned by drivers seeking higher ground, officials said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in an afternoon press conference that the disaster declarations in the state stretch from "literally the Red River to the Rio Grande."
The Associated Press reported twelve of the deaths occurred in Texas, and five in Oklahoma.
Storms dumped record rainfall on the Plains and Midwest, caused major flooding and spawned tornadoes, including one twister that killed 13 people in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Acuna, the Associated Press reported.
The water continued rising overnight as about 11 more inches of rain fell, much of it in a six-hour period.
The floodwaters affected virtually every part of Houston and paralyzed some areas. Firefighters carried out more than 500 water rescues, most involving stranded motorists. At least 2,500 vehicles were abandoned by drivers seeking higher ground, officials said.
