DALLAS – Rescuers suspended their search yesterday for a man now presumed to be the sixth person killed by rising waters in central Texas, and forecasters warned that recurring rain could cause more flooding.
Forecasters issued flash-flood warnings and said the storms, which have dumped more than 10 inches of rain in some areas, probably would continue through at least today.
Roadways were washed out and some intersections remained closed after two days of rain. Gov. Rick Perry activated National Guard troops to be deployed in Waco, Austin and San Antonio.
A daylong search that included cadaver dogs and kayakers on the Pedernales River ended with Edgar Garcia, 22, still missing since the current swept away his sport utility vehicle Thursday. The search will resume today, but as a recovery effort instead of a rescue attempt, Gillespie County sheriff's Lt. Jim Judd said.
Five other storm-related deaths had been reported in Texas, including two brothers ages 5 and 6 who were trapped when their family's SUV was swallowed by strong, quickly rising water. Rescuers saved the boys' mother and siblings.
Yesterday's rain also caused continued minor flooding in central and south-central Kansas, the National Weather Service said. Water had closed off all roads leading into at least one town.
