Texas Gov. Rick Perry flew over portions of eastern Texas on Sunday, getting a firsthand look at the devastation left behind from a slow-moving storm that parked over Houston and drenched the area with torrential rains.
Flooding brings Houston, Texas to a standstill, blamed for one death so far.
James White, the Harris County, Texas, emergency management coordinator, said that most of the dead had drowned, but that two had died of electrical shock. Houston authorities expect the number of confirmed deaths to climb as waters recede and rescue crews can reach more areas. About 12,000 homes or businesses are without power, White said. On Saturday, President George W. Bush declared a disaster area in 28 counties around Houston, making federal emergency aid available to the region. We have problems all over the city, flooding all over downtown and every other part of the city.