TEXAS FLOOD KILLS 2 CHILDREN, SCHOOL SHUTS DOWN, RESCUE OPERATIONS UNDERWAY

Following days of relentless rainfall in the Houston area, floodwaters forced the closure of several schools in Texas on Monday. Numerous rescue operations are underway, with some individuals being stranded on rooftops awaiting assistance.

The flooding crisis has resulted in the death of a child in the Fort Worth region after he was swept away when the vehicle he was travelling in became immobilized in floodwaters.

While forecasters predicted a decline in storm activity in southeastern Texas, the aftermath of the heavy rains persisted, with high water levels resulting in the closure of roads. Residents in affected neighbourhoods confronted extensive cleanup efforts, compounded by rising river levels that prompted evacuation orders over the weekend.

Despite hopes for improved weather conditions, the challenges posed by the flooding remained significant, underscoring the continuing impact of the severe weather on local communities.

Overnight storms in Houston

Over the preceding week, areas adjacent to Lake Livingston, northeast of Houston, experienced staggering rainfall accumulations, with measurements reaching up to 23 inches (58 centimetres), according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jimmy Fowler.

AP reported that Northeastern Harris County, encompassing Houston, witnessed rainfall ranging from 6 inches (15 centimetres) to nearly 17 inches (43 centimetres) during the same timeframe. On Sunday, intermittent showers in the Houston vicinity brought light to moderate rainfall, Fowler noted.

In Johnson County, south of Fort Worth, a 5-year-old succumbed to the elements after being swept away when the vehicle he was in got trapped in swiftly flowing waters near Lillian, just before 2 a.m. Sunday, as confirmed by a local official.

National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Stalley reported that overnight storms dumped as much as 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rainfall within a span of six to eight hours across central Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth corridor. The deluge led to road washouts west of Waco, further complicating the region’s already perilous situation.

(With AP inputs)

2024-05-06T16:01:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd