http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=718&e=5&u=/ap/20040501/ap_on_re_us/texas_rains


FORT WORTH, Texas - Flash floods killed at least three people, sweeping
one woman from a rescuer's hand, as heavy thunderstorms rolled across
North Texas, and three toddlers were still missing Saturday.


AP Photo



The storms struck late Friday and early Saturday with 1 to 3 inches of
rain and wind gusting to as high as 60 mph that knocked down tree limbs
and power lines. Hail as big as golf balls pounded some areas, the
National Weather Service (news - web sites) said. Elsewhere in the
state, a tornado caused minor damage outside Houston, authorities said.

A woman and her 2 1/2-year-old son died in Fort Worth after a flood
swept her car off a low-water crossing, where a sign warned of the
danger of flooding, Fire Department Lt. Kent Worley said. Firefighters
were searching for the woman's 1 1/2-year-old son, who relatives said
should also have been with her.

Worley said the woman apparently had stopped at the crossing but decide
to drive across after a van passed her and made it safely through
already deep water.

"She was immediately caught up in the water," he said. Her car was swept
down a drainage ditch that empties into Sycamore Creek, and was caught
in trees about 75 to 100 yards downstream.

Johnny Campbell, 22, wrapped a tow chain around his waist and had three
people hold it as he waded through waist-deep water toward the car.

"I saw her banging on the window and screaming for someone to help her,"
Campbell told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "When I got to the car, I
touched her hand, but water swept the car away, down into the creek."

In Corsicana, about 50 miles southeast of Dallas, a vehicle stalled on a
low-water crossing was swept away along with two children, ages 1 and 2,
police Sgt. Lewis Palos said. Their father was trying to get them out
when the water carried the vehicle away, he said.

Also in Corsicana, rushing water swept a vehicle against a guard rail on
a small bridge. The driver and passenger both got out, but the passenger
was swept away. His body was found Saturday, Palos said.


peace,

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