Severe Storms, flooding kill 6 in central Texas
Pastor Dale Morgan
Severe Storms, flooding kill 6 in central Texas*
POSTED: 0231 GMT (1031 HKT), May 26, 2007
Story Highlights
• NEW: Search for missing driver now a recovery effort
• NEW: Forecasters say storms might end Sunday
• Bad weather expected to continue pounding Plains
• Texas governor activates National Guard troops
DALLAS, Texas (AP) -- Rescuers suspended their search Saturday for a man
now presumed to be the sixth person killed by rising waters in central
Texas, and forecasters warned that recurring rain could cause more
flooding across the Plains.
Forecasters issued flash flood warnings and said the storms, which have
dumped more than 10 inches of rain in some areas, probably would
continue through at least Sunday.
Roadways were washed out and some intersections remained closed Saturday
after two days of rain pounded central Texas. Gov. Rick Perry activated
National Guard troops to be deployed in Waco, Austin and San Antonio for
the holiday weekend.
Dozens of people were plucked from rising waters Friday.
A daylong search that included cadaver dogs and kayakers on the swollen
Pedernales River ended with Edgar Garcia, 22, still missing since the
current swept away his sport utility vehicle Thursday. The search will
resume Sunday, but as a recovery effort instead of a rescue attempt,
Gillespie County sheriff's Lt. Jim Judd said.
Five other storm-related deaths had been reported in Texas, including
two brothers, ages 5 and 6, who were trapped when their family's SUV was
swallowed by strong, quickly rising water in Killeen. Rescuers saved the
boys' mother and siblings.
Elsewhere in Killeen, the body of a 20-year-old man caught in rushing
water was found lodged along a culvert, said Garland Potvin, a Bell
County justice of the peace.
Outside Copperas Cove, a husband and wife died late Thursday after
attempting to cross floodwaters in their vehicle, said Bill Price, a
Coryell County justice of the peace.
About 100 homes, apartment buildings and businesses sustained minor
damage Friday, and a few minor injuries were reported, said Dennis
Baker, the Bell County emergency management coordinator.
Saturday's rain also caused continued minor flooding in central and
south-central Kansas, the National Weather Service said. Water had
closed off all roads leading into at least one town. (Watch Kansans deal
with flooding Video)
The most serious flooding was expected along the Arkansas River in
Harvey County, the National Weather Service said.
Floodwaters closed off all roads leading into the central Kansas town of
New Cambria, Saline County emergency management officials said Friday.
Rising rivers also covered many of the streets in the small town east of
Salina.
At least 60 homes and businesses were flooded but no injuries were
reported, and only voluntary evacuations had been ordered.