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Record Rains Fuel Deadly Flooding in Texas, Okla.

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Dangerous storms swept across the nation's mid-section over the Memorial Day weekend, as record rainfall fueled flash floods and triggered tornadoes.

Officials say several people have been killed and the search is on for more victims. The deadly storms wreaked havoc in Texas and Oklahoma.

Record rainfall and flash flooding across central Texas caused the river outside of Austin to rise more than three feet in just hours, wiping out roads and even concrete bridges. 

Hundreds of homes were swept away. Many residents fled to the rooftops as their homes and basements flooded out.

Rivers rose so fast that whole communities woke up Sunday morning surrounded by water. More than a thousand families had to be evacuated.

"We saw what we thought was a rescue boat coming down the river. We did a cheer and then we realized it was a car," evacuee Debra McKeown said.

"They've lost everything. Their cars, their furniture, everything. And, it's just amazing. I can't even begin to let it all sink in. I don't think I want to know just yet," another evacuee Peggy Welbore said.

The storms also spawned tornadoes, damaging rooftops, toppling trees, blowing out windows and severely damaging an apartment complex in Houston.

Near Tulsa, Oklahoma, a firefighter died trying to save others.

"We suspected that he drowned, he got caught on in the storm drain itself, " Claremore Fire Chief Sean Douglas said.

Heavy rains also caused problems at one cemetary in Oklahoma, sinking headstones and graves.

This May is already the wettest month on record for several cities in the Southern Plains states, with less than a week left in the month and more rain on the way.

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About The Author

Charlene Aaron
Charlene
Aaron

Charlene Aaron serves as a general assignment reporter, news anchor, co-host of The 700 Club, co-host of 700 Club Interactive, and co-host of The Prayerlink on the CBN News Channel. She covers various social issues, such as abortion, gender identity, race relations, and more. Before joining CBN News in 2003, she was a personal letter writer for Dr. Pat Robertson. Charlene attended Old Dominion University and Elizabeth City State University. She is an ordained minister and pastor’s wife. She lives in Smithfield, VA, with her husband.