Thursday, June 2, 2016

No relief in sight for parts of Texas swamped by deadly floods

                       
The sound of pounding rain has become the daily chorus across the state of Texas. Wednesday's storms targeted north of Houston, where a six-inch downpour in just three hours led to flash flooding, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez."We live in the back of the subdivision and it's almost past our driveway," said one resident.
It was a similar scene further north in Lubbock, where drivers slogged through washed-out streets.
In the Southeast, the overflowing Brazos River stranded cows in deep water as they struggled to reach higher ground and continues to consume homes and land. It's climbed to nearly 10 feet above flood stage near Richmond, exceeding earlier projections.
Officials hope the Brazos River will start to fall. But with more rain on the way, it could be weeks before water levels return to normal. Emergency crews have carried out more than 450 water rescues this week.
"This is something we haven't seen in this area in a hundred years," said Ft. Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
Mary Doettrel's home is already in nearly three feet of water as this area braces for more rain.
"Nobody can project it. It's unbelievable," Doettrel said. "I mean I don't know what I'm going to do an hour from now."
The widespread flooding has pushed Governor Greg Abbott to declare a state of disaster in 31 counties. Some parts of Southeast Texas could see up to another seven inches of rain this week.