Three children and woman killed in storms in southern US

Three children and woman killed in storms in southern US

Several people have been killed in storms in the southern US

At least four people have reportedly been killed, including three children, in powerful storms that hit the southern United States, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall.

A three-year-old and an eight-year-old died after a tree fell onto the back of their family car in Lufkin, Texas, NBC News said. Their parents who were in the front were uninjured,

In West Monroe, Louisiana, a 13-year-old boy drowned in a drainage canal in what officials believe was a weather-related incident, the report said.

Streets had been closed in the city and a flood warning was issued for the area.

A fourth person who died in the storms was a woman killed by weather-related debris near Weches in Houston County, Texas.

In Franklin, Texas, a tornado with winds up to 140mph overturned mobile homes and damaged other properties, injuring about a dozen people.

NBC quoted Robertson County emergency management coordinator Billy Huggins as saying: "A strip of homes on the other side of town over here are completely gone, just gone, everything is gone."

He added: "To this small town of Franklin, it's very devastating. How we're going to get people help to restore their homes that don't have insurance or what have you, it's going to be pretty difficult.

"It's going to be a little difficult putting it back together, but we'll do it."

There was also a suspected tornado in Alto, Texas, which injured several people.

The storms were part of a large system that was moving through the southern US, knocking out power to thousands of homes and causing some flash flooding.

The US weather service said the system was expected to shift to the Ohio Valley and the southeast US on Sunday.

More than 140,000 customers remained without power in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas late on Saturday. </s> Tornadoes, storms kill nine in US South

A business damaged by tornadoes is seen in Canton, Texas, April 30, 2017. — Reuters pic

CANTON (Texas), May 1 — Tornadoes ripped through an East Texas county yesterday evening, killing at least four people and injuring dozens of others, while high winds, falling trees and floods killed five others in neighboring states, according to news reports.

Three tornadoes were confirmed by the US National Weather Service in Canton, a city about 95km east of Dallas in Van Zandt County.

The winds flipped over cars, snapped trees, destroyed houses and left roads strewn with debris and fallen power lines, according to photographs and video published by the Dallas Morning News.

“We have at least four fatalities,” Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett said at a news conference on Sunday, adding that number could rise.

“The damage was extensive in the affected area. It is heartbreaking and upsetting.”

Forty nine people had been treated for injuries, she said.

Earlier a Canton fire department captain said he believed five people had been killed.

The mayor urged people to stay away from a sprawling flea market known as First Monday Trade Days, as crews tried to clean up debris.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed a search and rescue team to the area.

The storms caused floods in neighboring states, killing a 72-year-old woman in southwestern Missouri who was washed away in her car, according to local media reports.

In Arkansas, a woman was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home in DeWitt, and a 10-year-old girls was killed after flood waters swept her away in Springdale, ABC News reported.

A fire chief reponding to the storm was killed yesterday in Cleburne County, the county sheriff said.

In Mississippi, a person was killed after a tree fell on their house in Durant, ABC reported.

The governors of Missouri and Oklahoma declared states of emergency due to flooding.

In the St. Louis area, severe thunderstorms were forecast through yesterday.

Some people were told to evacuate and 33 rescues were conducted, mostly in the state’s central and southwestern regions, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens said.

Parts of Indiana received up to 20cm of rain while areas in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas were drenched with up to 10cm, James said.

Heavy rainfall in the Midwest was expected to continue yesterday, along with wind gusts of 95kph.

Flash floods and strong thunderstorms were forecast for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama yesterday, the National Weather Service said. — Reuters </s> HOUSTON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey, which has already killed at least seven people in Texas and was expected to drive tens of thousands from their homes, will likely rise in the coming days, officials warned on Monday as heavy rains continued to pound the U.S. Gulf Coast.

National Guard troops, police officers, rescue workers and civilians raced in helicopters, boats and special high-water trucks to rescue the hundreds of people still stranded in and around Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city.

The storm was the most powerful hurricane to strike Texas in more than 50 years when it came ashore on Friday near Corpus Christi, 220 miles (354 km) south of Houston, and the worst was far from over as the National Weather Service issued numerous flood warnings across the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to go to Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage and may in the future visit Louisiana where the storm is now dumping rain.

Trump, facing the biggest U.S. natural disaster since he took office in January, has signed disaster proclamations for Texas and Louisiana, triggering federal relief efforts.

Harvey has killed at least six people in Harris County, where Houston is located, said Tricia Bentley, a spokeswoman for the county coroner's office, including a man who died in a house fire on Friday night and an elderly woman driving through flooded streets on the city's west side the next day.

A 60-year-old woman died in neighboring Montgomery County when a tree fell on her trailer home while she slept, the local medical examiner said on Twitter. With other people missing, the death toll could rise.

Both of Houston's major airports were shut down, along with most major highways, rail lines and a hospital, where patients were evacuated over the weekend. As of Monday evening 267,000 Texans were left without power in the southeast corner of the state.

One of three main rivers crossing Houston, the Brazos, was expected to crest sometime on Tuesday at 59 feet (18 meters), the National Weather Service said. The San Jacinto River was expected to crest over Interstate 10, the major east-west artery through Houston.

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management issued a "shelter in place" warning to residents of La Porte and Shoreacres, about 25 miles (40 km) east of Houston, after a chemical leak was caused by a ruptured pipeline.

As stunned families surveyed the wreckage of destroyed homes and roads flooded or clogged with debris, Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned Houstonians to brace for a long recovery.

"We need to recognize this is going to be a new and different normal for this entire region," Abbott said.

Harvey was expected to linger over Texas' Gulf Coast for the next few days, dropping another 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 cm) of rain, with threats of flooding extending into Louisiana.

In scenes evoking the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, police and Coast Guard teams have rescued at least 2,000 people so far, plucking many from rooftops by helicopter, as they urged the hundreds more believed to be marooned in flooded houses to hang towels or sheets outside to alert rescuers.

Harvey's center was about 100 miles (160 km) south of Houston and forecast to arc slowly toward the city through Wednesday, with the worst floods expected later that day and on Thursday.

Schools and office buildings were closed throughout the metropolitan area, home to 6.8 million people, as chest-high water filled some neighborhoods in the low-lying city.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Monday that it was releasing water from the nearby Addicks and Barker reservoirs into Buffalo Bayou, the primary body of water running through Houston.

"The more they release it could go up and it could create even additional problems," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner warned. But the release was said to be necessary to prevent an uncontrolled surge of water, which Turner said "would be exponentially worse."

Torrential rain also hit areas more than 150 miles (240 km) away, swelling rivers and causing a surge that was heading toward the Houston area, where numerous rivers and streams already have been breached. About 5,500 people were in shelters as of Monday morning, city officials said, with Federal Emergency Management Agency director Brock Long forecasting that 30,000 would eventually be housed temporarily in shelters.

Regina Costilla, 48, said she and her 16-year-old son had been rescued from their home by a good Samaritan with a boat. She worried until she was reunited with her husband and large dog, who had been left behind because they did not fit into the boat.

"I'm not complaining; we're alive," said Costilla. "When I saw the forecast of the storm I said I'll be happy if we get out with our lives."

In Rockport, National Guard troops passed out water to residents as utility crews worked to restore power in the city, amid reports of sporadic looting.

Houston did not order an evacuation due to concerns about people being stranded on city highways now consumed by floods, Turner said.

Abbott, who had suggested on Friday that people leave the area, declined to second-guess the mayor on Monday, telling reporters, "Decisions about evacuations are something that are behind us."

Gasoline futures hit their highest in two years as Harvey shut down multiple refiners, knocking out about 13 percent of total U.S. refining capacity, based on company reports and Reuters estimates.

Almost half of the U.S. refining capacity is in the Gulf region.

The nation's second-largest refinery was shutdown in Baytown, and the nation's largest refinery in Port Arthur was weighing shutting down with a final decision expected Tuesday, sources told Reuters.

The floods' path of destruction could destroy as much as $20 billion in insured property, making it one of the costliest storms in history for U.S. insurers, according to Wall Street analysts. </s> Severe weather in California and Texas has unleashed deadly flooding, powerful winds, and destructive tornadoes in the two states.

At least six tornadoes tore through central Texas on Monday, ripping roofs from homes and damaging nearly four dozen houses.

San Antonio was hit hardest, with about 150 buildings damaged, including at least three homes that completely collapsed.

While no deaths or major injuries were reported, there were plenty of close calls.

"It sounded like a sonic boom," said San Antonio resident Adrian Venegas. "And by the time I realized it was a tornado, our roof disappeared on us. It just completely vanished."

Thankfully Venegas' family of four was spared as they found shelter at a neighbor's home.

Teenager Alexis Stephen miraculously survived as well, after tornado debris suddenly blasted into her home without warning.

"All of a sudden my window just like shot in," she recalled. "Everything fell apart in a matter of like two or three seconds."

One tornado bent a high-voltage transmission tower completely in half in northeastern San Antonio. Power was knocked out for 47,000 customers, but that's mostly been restored.

Meanwhile, California has been bracing for more wind and rain Tuesday as forecasters issued flash flood warnings across the San Francisco Bay area and northern California.

Creeks and rivers are already swollen from heavy rains, and some areas were evacuated after a levee breach on the San Joaquin River.

However, there has also been some good news as water levels have fallen at the Oroville Dam, where a damaged spillway had prompted officials to evacuate 188,000 people.

Five people were killed by the powerful storms in California over the weekend, and about half of the state has been under flood, wind and snow advisories. </s> Multiple tornadoes ripped through a town in eastern Texas on Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring dozens of others, according to authorities, who warned the number of casualties could rise.

Three tornadoes were confirmed by the U.S. National Weather Service in Canton, a city about 60 miles (95 kilometres) east of Dallas.

"We have at least four fatalities," Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett said at a news conference on Sunday. "It is a very fluid situation and that could change later today." Forty nine people had been treated for injuries, she said.

Earlier local media reports said five people had died, citing the Canton fire department.

Pictures and video posted online showed cars flipped over and two-story houses in the area all but destroyed.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed a search and rescue team to the area.

Downpours that began on Friday were so intense the ground was unable to absorb the rainfall, making flooding highly likely, said meteorologist Kenneth James of the Weather Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service.

More than six inches of rain fell in some areas, flooding roads and prompting evacuations, meteorologists said.

The governors of Missouri and Oklahoma declared states of emergency due to flooding.

In the St. Louis area, severe thunderstorms are forecast through Sunday. Some people were told to evacuate and 33 rescues were conducted, mostly in the state's central and southwestern regions, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens said.

Parts of Indiana received up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain while areas in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas have been drenched with up to 4 inches (10 cm), James said.

Heavy rainfall in the Midwest was expected to continue on Sunday, along with wind gusts of 60 miles (95 km) per hour. </s> Three tornadoes were confirmed by the U.S. National Weather Service in Canton, a city about 60 miles (95 km) east of Dallas in Van Zandt County.

Tornadoes ripped through an East Texas county on Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, while high winds, falling trees and floods killed five in neighboring states, according to news reports.

Three tornadoes were confirmed by the U.S. National Weather Service in Canton, a city about 60 miles (95 km) east of Dallas in Van Zandt County.

The winds flipped over cars, snapped trees, destroyed houses and left roads strewn with debris and fallen power lines, according to photographs and video published by the Dallas Morning News.

"We have at least four fatalities," Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett said at a news conference on Sunday, adding that number could rise. "The damage was extensive in the affected area. It is heartbreaking and upsetting." Forty-nine people had been treated for injuries, she said.

Earlier a Canton fire department captain said he believed five people had been killed.

The mayor urged people to stay away from a sprawling flea market known as First Monday Trade Days, as crews tried to clean up debris.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a search and rescue team to the area.

The storms caused floods in neighboring states, killing a 72-year-old woman in southwestern Missouri who was washed away in her car, according to local media reports.

In Arkansas, a woman was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home in DeWitt, and a 10-year-old girl was killed after flood waters swept her away in Springdale, ABC News reported. A fire chief responding to the storm was killed on Sunday in Cleburne County, the county sheriff said

At least two other people reportedly died in storm-related incidents, while two children were missing after their mother’s car was swept from a road by floodwaters in Madison County. As many as 100,000 homes and businesses lost power, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared a state of emergency on Sunday night.

In Mississippi, a person was killed after a tree fell on their house in Durant, ABC reported. The governors of Missouri and Oklahoma declared states of emergency.

In the St. Louis area, severe thunderstorms were forecast through Sunday. Some people were told to evacuate and 33 rescues were conducted, mostly in the state's central and southwestern regions, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens said. </s> KINGSLAND, Texas -- New rainfall is in the forecast for Texas, threatening hundreds more homes with devastating flooding. Several days of rain have swollen rivers and lakes to near-record levels. Flooding swamped homes and businesses, and prompted many rescues. At least two people are dead.

The homeowners were significantly unprepared for how fast the water was moving Wednesday. Most of their furniture and belongings are out on the lawn, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann.

At Scott Turner's home in Kingsland, the rush of floodwater caught he and his family completely off-guard. "I would say it probably came 5 or 6 feet in a matter of 15 minutes," Turner said.

"We got all this stuff out of my wife's office and moved it into the house and as soon as we got it into the house, then the house started flooding. So we really didn't have a chance to get anything out," Turner said. "You're just going through your head just thinking of what you can get out. You know, at that point, there was nothing, there was nothing we could do."

His story is similar to ones seen across central Texas, as rising floodwaters have become increasingly dangerous. Crews have conducted several rescues – including one we came across Wednesday with two men in an SUV trapped in a ditch after they tried to cross a flooded road.

CBS News

Now authorities are doing what they can to limit the damage. At Mansfield Dam, four floodgates are open to drain water from the overflowing Lake Travis. Four more are expected to open Thursday.

The current water level of Lake Travis is about 700 feet, which has already caused flooding in dozens of homes. If it rises another 14 feet, the water will flow uncontrolled from the dam, submerging entire communities.

Back upstream, Turner is just trying to pick up the pieces. He said he hopes he's seen the worst of it.

"I don't think it could get any worse," Turner said. </s> Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in 18 flood-stricken counties in Central and South Texas on Tuesday, with one death reported so far, officials said.

Abbott noted in his proclamation that severe weather and prolonged flooding that began on Oct. 7 "has caused widespread and severe property damage and threatens loss of life."

“Texas is taking immediate action to respond to the threat of recent severe weather and flooding across the state,” Abbott said in a statement, according to Austin's The Statesman. “We have made available all necessary resources to respond as quickly and effectively as possible to this disaster and to assist those in harm’s way. I thank all our first responders and local officials on the ground in these communities for their efforts to assist fellow Texans during this dangerous event.”

The counties covered by the declaration are Bastrop, Burnet, Colorado, Fayette, Hood, Jim Wells, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Live Oak, Llano, Mason, McMullen, Nueces, Real, San Patricio, Travis and Williamson.

A flash flood warning is in effect, and forecasters describe it as a "very dangerous situation."

It's not expected to drop below major flood stage until later Wednesday, with the weather service's Flash Flood Watch in effect for portions south central Texas through Thursday afternoon, according to NWS Austin/San Antonio.

An unidentified body was found near the eastern shore of the rain-swollen Lake Lyndon B. Johnson on Tuesday, officials said.

The lake is situated where the Llano and Colorado rivers meet. The National Weather Service said both rivers are experiencing "major flooding" following several days of rain.

Burnet County Sheriff's Capt. Tom Dillard said there haven't been other reports of deaths or injuries in the county. He also said the body found Tuesday doesn't appear to be that of a person still missing from a flash flood last week in an RV park along the South Llano River, about 90 miles upstream.

Heavy rains continue to swell the Central Texas rivers, sending water over bridges, threatening riverside structures and prompting recommendations for area residents to evacuate.

Evacuations are underway in the cities of Kingsland and Marble Falls, both northwest of Austin.

In addition to the evacuations, several school districts closed for the day and emergency personnel blocked access to more than 150 low-water crossings.

Raging floodwaters bloated the Llano River, overrunning a bridge in Kingsland, about 65 miles northwest of Austin.

The National Weather Service said the river at nearby Llano is expected to crest at near-record levels near 41 feet, which is 18 feet above major flood stage on Tuesday morning.

Last week, four people were swept away in floodwaters along the South Llano River in Junction. The bodies of three were recovered and one person remains missing. </s> 1 killed in Arkansas in storms; 4 dead in Texas

CANTON, Texas - Severe storms that moved across Arkansas are blamed for at least one death there.

 

Police say 65-year-old Julia Schwede was killed when a tree was blown into her home Saturday night.

 

The storms were among several in parts of the South and Midwest. In Texas, at least four people were killed in a series of tornadoes that left a trail of overturned vehicles, mangled trees and damaged homes. Rains killed at least one person in Missouri.

 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a 72-year-old woman drowned despite her husband's efforts to save her as their vehicle was swept away by rushing waters Saturday near Clever in southwest Missouri.

 

Flooding is also an issue in northern Arkansas, where numerous roads are closed after more than 3 inches of rain fell in some areas.
Severe flooding in Texas kills at least two people and damages dozens of houses. Weather forecasters predict that more rain will come and possibly flood hundreds more houses.