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Texas dam holds as rescue efforts continue after storms Rains continue after devastating storms in southern US
(about 7 hours later)
Texas police have evacuated residents living near an overflowing dam southwest of Dallas as a large part of the southern US continued to reel from floods brought on by powerful storms. The death toll from storms in Texas and Oklahoma in southern US has risen to 19, while the number of missing in Texas has dropped to 12.
Flood waters were flowing over the dam on Wednesday, but county engineers said the structure is expected to hold. Two of the dead were initially on the list of those missing, but their identities have been confirmed.
Rescuers continued to search for the missing after the storms, which killed at least 17 in Texas and Oklahoma. Rescuers on Wednesday continued to search for the missing after the storms.
More heavy rains are expected over the next few days. Forecasters have said more heavy rains are expected over the next few days.
Local police in Midlothian, Texas, told people living downstream from the Padera dam to evacuate their houses and move livestock to higher ground in the largely rural area. This is now the wettest month on record for Texas.
Police Capt John Spann had said if the dam breaks, nearby Highway 287 would flood with water. On Wednesday, local police in Midlothian, Texas, told people living downstream from the Padera dam to evacuate.
Residents who have been ordered to evacuate are not "in danger of being swept away", Mr Spann said, but were told to evacuate as a precaution. There was a chance the dam was going to break, but the threat subsided later on Wednesday.
Anywhere from 800 to 1,400 homes in Houston have been damaged by the storms.
President Barack Obama pledged federal assistance on Tuesday after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in at least 40 Texas counties, including Harris County, which includes Houston.President Barack Obama pledged federal assistance on Tuesday after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in at least 40 Texas counties, including Harris County, which includes Houston.
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service warned of additional flash floods in Houston and city official urged caution on the roads.On Wednesday, the National Weather Service warned of additional flash floods in Houston and city official urged caution on the roads.
"Right now we still have a lot of our neighbourhoods underwater," Michael Walter, a spokesman for Houston's Office of Emergency Management, told NBC's Today programme."Right now we still have a lot of our neighbourhoods underwater," Michael Walter, a spokesman for Houston's Office of Emergency Management, told NBC's Today programme.
Two people who capsized in a boat helping with rescues on Tuesday have not been found, Houston Mayor Annise Parker said.Two people who capsized in a boat helping with rescues on Tuesday have not been found, Houston Mayor Annise Parker said.
Elsewhere in Houston, 100,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled at a flooded wastewater treatment plant.Elsewhere in Houston, 100,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled at a flooded wastewater treatment plant.
Meanwhile, Texas authorities defended the way they alerted residents to flooding dangers.Meanwhile, Texas authorities defended the way they alerted residents to flooding dangers.
In Hays County, where a vacation home was swept away, authorities said they placed multiple alerts to mobile phones and calls to landlines.In Hays County, where a vacation home was swept away, authorities said they placed multiple alerts to mobile phones and calls to landlines.
National Weather Service warnings were received on people's mobile phones in Houston, but city officials said they do not have a system that lets them send more targeted warnings.National Weather Service warnings were received on people's mobile phones in Houston, but city officials said they do not have a system that lets them send more targeted warnings.