Officials are assessing two dams rated as 'extremely high risk' which are expected to reach 50 percent capacity

Forecaster warn more heavy rain is predicted for today while rising floodwaters have caused further


New aerial images have revealed the scale of the destruction after devastating floods in Houston yesterday claimed the lives of at least seven and forced more than a thousand from their homes - as more heavy rain is predicted today.

Hundreds of residents had to be evacuated from their homes across Harris County this morning as floodwaters continue to rise after flash floods caused chaos in Texas on Monday when a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour.

The National Weather Service is now warning that there is a 50 percent chance of more rain falling on the Houston area Tuesday and has issued a flash flood watch through Wednesday morning.

Seven people have died in the Houston after storms since Sunday dumped up to 16 inches of rain. Normally, Houston sees just four inches of rain in the entire month of April.

The body of a woman was discovered in a completely submerged vehicle at around 4am this morning in the Briarcreek area, according to officials.

Authorities say the victim may have driven down a flooded roadway, and then ended up in a ditch near FM1960, east of 45.

Two people were killed yesterday after they drove through barricades at a freeway underpass, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett confirmed. Traffic cameras recorded the vehicle going around the blockade and head into the water. The vehicle didn't make it through.

Earlier on Monday two other deaths were reported. One man was found inside a truck that that drove into high water on a freeway service road.

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Incredible aerial images reveal horror aftermath of deadly Houston floods which killed six and forced more than a thousand from their homes

New aerial images have revealed the scale of the destruction after devastating floods in Houston yesterday as floodwater can be seen surrounding homes

Roads turned into rivers in Houston as families became marooned in their own homes by the rising floodwaters

A cul-de-sac is transformed into a lake after some areas had received as much as 16 inches of rain by Monday morning, according to the flood control district

Hundreds of residents had to be rescued yesterday and today after becoming trapped in their vehicles or homes

The scale of the floods becomes apparent from the air as the water rushed past homes in the Houston area

Families used whatever means necessary to get to safety through the rising waters in Houston, Texas

One woman floated a young girl to safety through the floodwaters in a small plastic box as the waters continued to rise today

One boy on a bicycle drags a boat with another child behind him along the water covered roads

This family used their air boat to navigate the floodwaters around their home as they passed by street lamps

Crews monitoring the high water on the road saw the man in the 18-wheeler truck drive directly into the water. It's possible the driver may have suffered some kind of medical emergency.

Another man, identified only as a contractor working for the city's airport system, also was found dead in a submerged vehicle not far from Houston Intercontinental Airport.

While a seventh victim's body was found in a submerged vehicle near Loop 610 and the Southwest Freeway Tuesday evening, according to 12News Now.

The victim was identified as Teri Rodriguez, 41, who was found in a submerged car in the 1800 block of Briar Creek, in the Cypress Creek area.

Officials are also assessing two dams on Houston's west side which were rated 'extremely high risk,' according to the Houston Chronicle.

Both the Addicks and Barker Dams are expected to fill to at least 50 per cent capacity today. While experts do not believe they will fail, the Chronicle warned that it could potentially cause dozens of deaths and $60 billion in damage.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in nine counties after widespread yesterday's deadly floods left residents trapped in their own homes and vehicles.

Dozens of schools, public transit and city offices were also closed Monday after the downpours.

Around 200 flights were cancelled at Houston's Hobby Airport, according to the airport's Twitter account, while more than 120,000 residents were left without power.

Today, power has been restored to some homes but at least 70,000 people are still without electricity.

A school bus, which seemed undeterred by the floodwaters, pushed on ahead through the rising waters

The heavy rains forced seven of the city's many bayous out of their banks and created flooding in parts of the city that had not flooded for many years

Flash flood warnings were up in about two dozen Texas counties across in the southern part of the state, including the Houston and Austin metropolitan areas

Around 200 flights were cancelled at Houston's Hobby Airport, according to the airport's Twitter account, while more than 120,000 residents were left without power

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in nine counties after widespread yesterday's deadly floods left residents trapped in their own homes and vehicles

Very heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Tuesday before the system begins to move off to the northeast and weaken

In Harris County alone, more than 1,000 homes have been flooded with more than 1,200 residents rescued from the floods by early Monday afternoon

A man uses a submerged cop car as a temporary rest stop for him and his dog as he waded through the floods

Whole neighborhoods were submerged by the floodwaters as many were left without power and some were even forced to leave their homes

Experts have warned that flooding may become a regular sight in Houston where the fast-growing population and building boom makes it vulnerable to high waters

Some areas had received as much as 16 inches of rain by Monday morning, according to the flood control district.

The heavy rains forced seven of the city's many bayous out of their banks and created flooding in parts of the city that had not flooded for many years, Turner said.

Flash flood warnings were up in about two dozen Texas counties across in the southern part of the state, including the Houston and Austin metropolitan areas.

The situation is the result of a nearly stationary area of low pressure that has stalled over the western United States, allowing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to flow into Texas over the last few days, according to CNN meteorologist Sean Morris.

Very heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Tuesday before the system begins to move off to the northeast and weaken, he said.

In Harris County alone, more than 1,000 homes have been flooded with more than 1,200 residents rescued from the floods by early Monday afternoon.

'When you get off the freeways and off the main thoroughfares, you could be in water 10 to 15 feet deep,' Fire Department spokesman Jay Evans told the Associated Press. 'You do not want to trap yourself in these vehicles.'

Near Brookshire, citizens rescued semi truck driver Ron Bumpus from his rig after he drove into floodwaters.

The city is attempting to return to normal operations today and the Metropolitan Transit Authority resumed service Tuesday, including light-rail operations.

But some parts of Houston are still suffering as rivers and creeks continue. Local reports reveal that the swollen Cypress Creek forced residents to evacuate their homes in northwestern Harris County Tuesday morning.

While Houston ISD canceled classes for another day, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph. The University of Houston's main campus was also closed Tuesday.

Six people died in historic Houston floods yesterday after a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour - as more heavy rain is predicted today (residents are evacuated from their flooded apartment complex on Tuesday)

More than 1,200 residents were rescued from floods (pictured; a rescue boat makes its way past submerged cars to pick up flooded residents)

Residents carry some of their precious belongings as they leave their flooded apartment complex on Tuesday

This was the devastating scene in Houston as people struggled to save 70 horses from the floods and the human death toll reached six

At least six people have died in flooding in Houston, Texas, (pictured on Monday) where a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour

Justin Nelzen, in red vest, joins other local residents as they work to rescue up to 70 horses along Cypresswood Drive near Humble along Cypress Creek on Monday in Houston, after a Houston-area stable was inundated by floodwaters

Louis Marquez carries his rather concerned-looking dog Dallas through floodwaters after rescuing the dog from his flooded apartment Tuesday

Water received chest height in Houston after storms dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of neighborhoods

Families have been pictured wading through waist-deep water with belongings in plastic bags, and kids on their shoulders

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had warned drivers to take care on flooded roads.

Experts have warned that flooding may become a regular sight in Houston where the fast-growing population and building boom makes it vulnerable to high waters.

Philip Bedient, an engineering professor at Rice University, says the flooding problem can't be solved. He says, 'All we can do is a better job warning.'

The unprecedented floods have sent the city into turmoil, with residents pictured grappling to save horses from rivers that they have been washed into.

Crowds jumped in the water to rescue up to 70 horses along Cypresswood Drive near Humble on Monday, after a Houston-area stable was inundated by floodwaters.

Families have been pictured wading through waist-deep water with belongings in plastic bags, and kids on their shoulders.

More rain was projected over the next two to three days, although heavy downpours had subsided and only another half-inch was expected through Monday night, he said.

Rain gauges in parts of Harris County, which includes most of Houston, showed water levels approaching 20 inches since late Sunday night, with slightly smaller amounts elsewhere in Southeast Texas as bayous and creeks overflowed their banks.

Children took advantage of the rising water yesterday to play in flood waters in the Kelliwood Park neighborhood of Katy, Texas

Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster in nine counties after the floods, and a flash flood watch for Houston will remain in effect until Wednesday morning

More rain is predicted today spelling misery for Houston residents who were forced to evacuate their homes

Rain came down at rates as high as four inches an hour on Monday, the Weather Channel reported, saying some residents were trapped in their homes and cars

Betty Jones, center, is helped while being evacuated after the historic floods which left more than 120,000 people without power

Belongings are piled outside a Houston home after recent storms dumped more than a foot (30 cm) of rain in the area, causing flooding to dozens of neighborhoods

Residents are evacuated from their apartment complex surrounded by floodwaters on Monday in Houston

Storms have dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of areas and forcing the closure of city offices

Families have been warned not to travel very far for fear of more intense flash-flooding

Residents of the Arbor Court apartments evacuate their flooded apartment complex in the Greenspoint area on Monday

Several shelters were established for people forced from their homes. At least 1,000 people taken from apartment complexes in the north part of the city and moved to a shopping mall were being ferried by city buses to a shelter, the mayor said.

Thousands of homes in the county outside Houston were flooded, many for the first time. At least 450 high-water rescues were conducted.

On Monday a local news reporter in Texas was captured on film saving a man from his vehicle that was submerged in the historic floods on Monday - just before the media station was going to go on live TV.

Steve Campion was preparing to go live on breaking news coverage of the flooding across the Houston area when he saw a man drive into an area of deep water near an underpass.

Campion, a reporter for KTRK, yells at the man: 'Dude, you've got to get out of the car. You've got to get out!' as the vehicle moves into deeper water.

Shortly thereafter, the man opens the passenger door and crawls out into the water as the reporter yells: 'Leave the car! Swim!'

Steve Campion was preparing to go live on breaking news coverage of the flooding across the Houston area when he saw a man drive into an area of deep water near an underpass (pictured)

He yelled at the man to get out of the car, and soon the man emerged, flustered as to what he should do next

Campion tells the man to swim to higher ground, and after pausing for a moment, worried about his vehicle, he heads toward the local news team

The driver swims toward Campion, a reporter for KTRK, who wades out into the waist-deep water and extends his hand

As the car slowly sinks under water, the driver tells Campion that he's OK and that he didn't think the water was so deep

The man once more tries to turn back to his submerged car, but Campion tells him to move toward the higher ground instead

The driver pauses for a moment, worrying about his car, but then swims toward Campion, who wades out into the waist-deep water and extends his hand.

As the car slowly sinks under water, the driver tells Campion that he's OK and that he didn't think the water was so deep.

The man, later identified only as Andy, tried to turn back to his vehicle, which by that point was almost completely submerged, and Campion said, 'You've got to leave the car'.

Andy then moves to higher land beyond the lens of the camera.

Storms have dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of neighborhoods and forcing the closure of city offices and the suspension of public transit.

Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, told NBC News that flash flooding could cause a 'life-threatening situation' in northwest Harris County. 'Stay where you are,' he added.

The National Weather Service said the area received up to 16 inches of rain in the 24 hours through Monday morning.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said city offices will be closed on Monday and encouraged people to stay home and avoid high water areas.

'This is an unprecedented amount of rain,' Turner said. 'It's been stubborn - and it's not moving anytime fast.'

'The situation is pretty serious,' Rosie Torres, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told NBC.

The agency told residents in a statement to 'stay home and off the road'.

'If your home or apartment takes in water, DO NOT LEAVE. You are safer inside your home. Straying into deep or fast moving flood waters means certain death,' the statement said.

More than 1million students in the Houston area had a weather-related day off Monday because of storms that dumped as much as 16 inches of rain.

As Greens Bayou starts to crest its' banks, a man rescues a armadillo from flood waters in Houston, Texas, on Monday

A man rides on the outside of a dump truck through floodwaters in Houston, Texas, where storms have dumped more than a food of rain

A resident looks out from the second floor as floodwaters surround his apartment complex in Houston on Monday

Margarita Uribe, left, and her husband, Juan Juarez, wade through floodwaters as they evacuate their flooded apartment complex in Houston on Monday

Storms have dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of neighborhoods and forcing the closure of city offices and the suspension of public transit

More than 40 districts and universities canceled school as heavy rain and flooding inundated parts of Harris County and threatened nearby areas.

The closures included the Houston Independent School District, the largest in Texas with about 215,000 students, plus Texas Southern University and the Houston Community College System.

The more than 40,000-student University of Houston cited street flooding in calling off classes. Rice University also canceled school Monday.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, the county's chief administrator, said more than 1,000 homes were flooded.

'This is a rain even that's very significant, no question about it,' he said. 'Many of those homes haven't flooded before.'

Meteorologist Tom Bradshaw said about 70 Houston subdivisions flooded. At least two interstates - I-10, the main east-west freeway, and I-45, the major north-south freeway - were underwater near downtown.

Darius Simon, second from left, helps his mother Carol, evacuate her flooded apartment complex along with his brother Dominique and son, Isaac Hernandez, on Monday

Jose Romero, left, and a fellow resident make their way through floodwaters as they try to reach their flooded apartments in Houston on Monday

A group walk from a flooded apartment complex after Greens Bayou spilled over its banks and flooded the streets on Monday

A man holds his belongings as he evaluates his submerged motorcycle after water flooded his garage space

A man paddles a kayak out of high water in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision on Monday in The Woodlands, Texas

'We've seen those go under water before and they're under water again,' Emmett said.

Other major freeways, plus some feeder roads leading to the highways, were shut off by high water.

Emmett warned drivers that even if they were able to get through on the highways, 'When it's time to get off, you may not be able to'.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport officials have reported at least 335 cancellations Monday. More than 135 flights have been canceled at William P Hobby Airport.

A Houston Airport System statement says some roads are flooded near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, in the north of the state's largest city.

More than 110,000 Houston area homes and business have lost electricity during the storms, and CenterPoint Energy crews worked on Monday to restore the power lost.

Gov Greg Abbott is planning to provide an update on the state's response to the severe weather in an afternoon news conference.

Kaicee Crowley walks through floodwaters to get belongings out of her stranded car in Houston on Monday

A rescue boat drives through the flooded streets of Houston on Monday after several cars became stranded in high waters

A man helps another man out of floodwaters at the Park De Ville as Greens Bayou spills over its banks in Houston

A woman walks out of high water in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision in The Woodlands, Texas

A man walks in knee-deep water past a set of mailboxes in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision in The Woodlands

Flash flood watches have been issued through Tuesday morning for Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler-Longview and as far east as Texarkana.

No deaths or serious injuries due to the storms and flooding.

Houston, at near sea level and known for its 'gumbo' soft soil, is no stranger to flooding from torrential rains, tropical storms and hurricanes.

Last Memorial Day, heavy rains caused severe flooding in the southwest parts of the city. Bayous there were quickly rising and the mayor urged residents to prepare for another round of floods.

'We have had a lot of rain to fall in a short period of time and it is taxing our system,' he said. 'If you're not presently flooded along one of these bayous, I can tell you things remaining as they are, if conditions do not change, that those areas more than likely will be flooded.'

The city reported more than 115 emergency water rescues by mid-morning Monday and evacuation of at least 30 apartment complexes.

Taylor McKenzie holds on to his dog, Big Black, as he walks out of high water in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision on Monday in The Woodlands

Kelly Shearer, left, and Taylor McKenzie carry McKenzie's dog, Big Black, in The Woodlands on Monday

Josh Ludy carries belongings out of his flooded house in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision on Monday in The Woodlands

Brays Bayou floods after heavy rains hit the Houston region, Monday after 16 inches of rain fell in 24 hours

Trucks slowly drive through flood waters on North I-45 at North Main Street as White Oak Bayou comes over it's banks, flooding the freeway