25 de mayo de 2015

State of disaster declared in Texas due to severe weather conditions


This May 24, 2015 Handout photo provided by the Blanco Police Department in Blanco, Texas shows the bridge on Rte 165 spanning the Blanco River that was washed away by flash flooding caused by torrential downpours. (AFP/BLANCO POLICE DEPARTMENT)
This May 24, 2015 Handout photo provided by the Blanco Police Department in Blanco, Texas shows the bridge on Rte 165 spanning the Blanco River that was washed away by flash flooding caused by torrential downpours. (AFP/BLANCO POLICE DEPARTMENT)

The governor of Texas declared a state of emergency in more than two dozen counties on Monday. Weather services have warned that more severe weather conditions are in store for the region, where storms have already killed at least three people.

Read moreHomes washed away as rainfall inundates south-central US (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in 24 counties, citing deadly weather conditions that have been tormenting the state since early May.
The first emergency proclamation, issued on May 11, had to be amended to include more counties.
READ MORE: Twisted weather: 19 tornadoes wreak havoc, down power in central US states (IMAGES)
An unidentified man was found drowned in Texas, while at least two more victims reportedly died in Oklahoma. One woman died after her car hydroplaned and a firefighter was killed when he was swept into a storm drain, CNN reported.
Twelve people were reported missing after hundreds of homes were damaged by flash-flooding in Central Texas on Monday, AP reported.

Amy Parrish (2nd L) hugs a woman as she gathers personal items from her home after a tornado swept through the area the previous night in Van, Texas May 11, 2015. (Reuters/Mike Stone)
Amy Parrish (2nd L) hugs a woman as she gathers personal items from her home after a tornado swept through the area the previous night in Van, Texas May 11, 2015. (Reuters/Mike Stone)
The region has been badly affected by tornadoes, heavy rains and thunderstorms as of late. People have been evacuated from their homes, sometimes being rescued from their roofs, Reuters reported. Thousands have been left without electricity, and flash flooding has damaged hundreds of houses and washed away bridges.
READ MORE: Dozens injured, houses destroyed: Powerful storms ravage central US (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
The area has been suffering from record-setting rains since the beginning of May, and has already received six times more rainfall than typical for an entire month, Accuweather said. More severe thunderstorm and flash-flood warnings, as well as tornado watches, were issued by the Weather Service on Monday, with the governor’s office saying the severe weather could continue through the week.
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