storm
Severe flooding in Texas
Firefighters take a family of four to higher ground in Dallas by boat. photo
© Elias Valverde Ii/The Dallas Morning News/AP/dpa
Texas experienced heavy rains that, according to one newspaper, only occur once in 1,000 years. A judge declared a disaster.
In view of the massive floods in the US metropolis of Dallas and the surrounding area, the judge responsible has declared the area in the state of Texas a disaster. Dallas County residents should report any damage, Judge Clay Jenkins said Monday on Twitter.
If a disaster is declared, those affected can receive financial aid from both the federal state and the national civil protection authority (FEMA). Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted record amounts of rain fell in a 24-hour period. Meteorologists described the heavy rain as an event that occurs about once every 1,000 years, the Dallas Morning News newspaper (Monday) wrote. Flooding also occurred in the neighboring city of Fort Worth.
Earlier, police in Dallas, Texas’ third-largest city, released images of many flooded streets and warned motorists not to drive on such roads. Some cars were almost completely covered by water.
A woman was found dead in her car parked on a road bridge in a suburban area on Monday, the Dallas Morning News reported. Judge Jenkins told the newspaper that he hopes they don’t lose more lives from the floods. He appealed to the population not to take any risks: “Turn around, don’t drown. A small amount of water is enough to move your car.”
Dallas Police on Twitter I Dallas Police on Twitter II Judge Tweet with Disaster Report Dallas Morning News