Waterlogged parts of Texas get more rain

MARBLE FALLS, Texas - More rain fell yesterday in flood-weary parts of Texas, where evacuations were under way and residents were bracing for even more of the constant downpours that have killed 11 people in recent days.

Officials reported calls for dozens of rescues in San Antonio, and hundreds of people were being ordered to leave their homes near the bloated Brazos River in North Texas.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, acting as governor while Gov. Rick Perry is out of the country, surveyed damage in the lakeside community of Marble Falls, which was drenched by as much as 18 inches of rain early Wednesday. No one was killed, but there were 32 water rescues and widespread damage.

"I haven't seen so much destruction since I was on the ground right after Hurricane Rita," Dewhurst said. "What these folks need is just a break in the rain and a chance to dry out."

In northern Texas, rains continued falling west of Fort Worth, and evacuations of about 300 homes were ordered in Parker County as the Brazos River began creeping into some backyards.

Firefighters and National Guard troops went door to door notifying residents of the mandatory evacuation, but some refused to leave, said Lt. Jason Williams of the Parker County firefighters' search-and-rescue team.

Overnight rainfall in central Texas was far short of the 10 inches that were forecast, but more was expected and flash-flood warnings were in effect. Storm systems near Austin and San Antonio were expected to dump as much as 10 inches, the National Weather Service said.

Authorities also closed several impassable roads in surrounding Williamson County. In San Antonio, 47 streets were closed and there were 39 calls for high-water rescues.

Most residents of Marble Falls remained without running water after flash floods damaged the water plant. Bottled water was brought in by state emergency workers.

The Texas National Guard dispatched troops and vehicles to central Texas, as well as other areas hit by storms.