At least six people have died after a spell of torrential downpours with damaging hail and tornadoes caused widespread flooding in Texas.
The city of Palestine in Anderson County, around 160km southeast of Dallas, was one of the worst hit areas as it received 19mm of rain in less than an hour.
The flooding that ensued left five people dead who, despite being able to their flooded homes, were swept away by the fast-moving water.
Palestine police captain James Muniz confirmed that the individuals "were able to get out but were washed away", adding that their bodies were recovered on Saturday.
Elsewhere, strong winds in the Houston area uprooted trees and snapped power lines, leaving more than 4,200 residents without electricity.
There were seven tornadoes reported from the storm system in Texas and Oklahoma.
More storms are expected over the next few days and the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch extending from east Texas into much of Mississippi and a severe thunderstorm watch for New Orleans and the southern Louisiana region.
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