"Relentless" Floods, Tornadoes Still Ravaging South, Central USA

Caitlin Burke : May 26, 2015
CBN News

"It sends a powerful message that is the relentless tsunami-type power that this wave of water can pose for people. When elected officials say evacuate, the devastation is a reminder to heed those warnings."

(South, Central USA)—[CBN News] A round of powerful thunderstorms that began Memorial Day weekend is continuing to hammer parts of the South Central U.S. (Photo via AP/via BBC)

At least eight people have died in Oklahoma and Texas in the past three days, and the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared states of disaster in 24 counties.

Residents in the Houston area are experiencing what they say is the worst flooding they've ever seen.

"I am standing in about eight inches of water in my living room," resident Joe Cox said.

Gov. Abbott said, "You cannot candy coat it. It's absolutely massive."

"It was like 6-foot deep at the beltway, underneath the beltway at I-10, and that's where I picked up eight people there," another person said.

The Lone Star State has been pounded by tornadoes, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Flash flooding in some areas swept homes off their foundations, mowed down trees and forced evacuations.

"It sends a powerful message that is the relentless tsunami-type power that this wave of water can pose for people. When elected officials say evacuate, the devastation is a reminder to heed those warnings," Abbott said.

Neighboring Oklahoma saw many of the same problems. Four people there are confirmed dead, including a firefighter who died during a water rescue.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the chance of severe thunderstorms expands farther east, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast.

Forecasters warn that severe weather is expected to continue across the South Central part of the country throughout the rest of this week.