Barack Obama's federal aid, signed late on Friday, makes federal funding available to sufferers in Harris, Hays, and Van Zandt counties in Texas to rebuild their communities' damaged infrastructure and homes. Other counties could be reportedly added to the request later.
The National Weather Service said that there's a 70-percent chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Houston area from Saturday afternoon into Sunday.
Trinity River at its highest levels in nearly 25 years. Anyone know if the Crappie are biting? @DallasPD pic.twitter.com/XxKaF4Wz3L— Dallas Air One (@DPDAir1) May 29, 2015
City spokeswoman Sana Syed has posted a map on Twitter of the most vulnerable areas in Dallas. According to the National Weather Service, some areas of North Texas saw up to seven inches (17.8 cm) of rain on Friday, with hundreds of residents calling for help.
One Dallas-area police officer had to be plucked to safety by a helicopter after his SUV got trapped in rushing floodwaters.
One person was found dead in Dallas' eastern suburb, Mesquite, after his pickup truck was submerged in floodwaters, TV station WFAA reported. The victim has not been identified.
Reverse 911 calls being issued to about 100 #Dallas residents near Singleton Blvd. #dallasflood @DallasOEM @DallasPD pic.twitter.com/xuTr12jO0U — Sana Syed (@dallaspiosana) May 29, 2015
On Friday, authorities identified the body of a 6-year-old boy who was in a vacation home in Wimberley that was swept away by rushing waters.
The home was knocked off its foundation and carried down the swollen Blanco River. The boy's mother and his 4-year-old sister are still missing.
Thousands of cars were trapped for as long as six hours on a suburban freeway near Dallas on Friday, blocked by floodwaters. The Red Cross distributed cookies and water to stranded motorists, and opened a shelter for area residents impacted by the flood in Grand Prairie, a suburb of Dallas.
.@dallaspiosana says Dallas Fire and Police responded to hundreds of high water calls overnight. DFR performed 10 high water rescues. #txwx — DFW Scanner (@DFWscanner) May 29, 2015
"I feel like I am on an island and nobody cares," Vanessa Paterson, who was on the highway with her 6-month-old son, told TV station WFAA.
Authorities have identified five of the six bodies found in Hays County. Six people are still listed as missing there, according to AP.
"Communities across the State of Texas have experienced devastating destruction, injury and - most tragically - loss of life due to the major and unceasing severe weather system that has been impacting our state for weeks," Governor Greg Abbott, who has declared 70 counties disaster areas, stated.
@DallasOEM @DallasPD These are the areas we're worried about in #Dallas. These areas are prone to flood impacts. pic.twitter.com/MQodhhyaAV — Sana Syed (@dallaspiosana) May 29, 2015
Between 12:50 am - 7:50 am 911 received 165 street blockage calls, 163 person in danger high water calls. pic.twitter.com/guAk7PwyPf — Dallas Police Depart (@DallasPD) May 29, 2015
Dallas officials advised people to go home early, promising: "This would be a great night to stay home, watch a movie and cook some popcorn," Dallas Police Deputy Chief Scott Walton told a news conference, Reuters reported.
The mayor of Wharton has issued an evacuation order for up to 900 people living near the Colorado River, which started flooding into the city earlier this week.
The city of Rosenberg also ordered about 150 residents living near the Brazos River to evacuate by late Friday, AP reported. Authorities said residents would not be allowed to return to their homes until the affected area is declared safe.
Comment: These Texas rains are "unprecedented"! And still no end in sight.