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Heavy Rain Causes Flooding, Cancellations, Road Closures

North Texas receives 3-5 inches of rain Sunday

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Several inches of rain fell across North Texas over the weekend, leaving most of the Metroplex under a Flash Flood Watch through early Tuesday.

The storms were part of a wide weather system that left warnings and watches through Tuesday morning for Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler-Longview and as far east as Texarkana.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a state disaster declaration for nine southeast Texas counties Monday, including Harris County, where more than a foot of rain fell near Houston.

Abbott said more than half of the state remains under flood warnings Monday evening and said first responders have made more than 1,000 water rescues across Texas.

NBC 5’s Chris Van Horne monitors the roads in Tarrant County as storms move through Monday morning.

DFW Forecast

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for DFW through 7 a.m. Tuesday with total rain amounts between three and six inches possible by Tuesday morning.

For Monday, the first round of rain is now well east of North Texas. In the afternoon, a few more showers and storms may move back into the area, but it won't be nearly as widespread. Still, locally heavy rain will be possible. See the latest forecast from NBC 5's Weather Experts, here.

Local Flight Delays, Cancellations

According to FlightAware.com, D/FW International Airport and Dallas Love Field reported dozens of cancellations and delays due to weather. Significant delays were also reported at airports in Houston, San Antonio and Austin.

Houston TV Reporter Helps Rescue Stranded Driver

A TV reporter has helped to rescue a man who drove his car into a flooded underpass in Houston.

In the incident captured on video Monday, KTRK reporter Steve Campion yells, "Dude, you've got to get out of the car!"

KTRK-TV reporter Steve Campion watched as a Houston driver’s car was swamped by flood water live during his report. Campion then goes out to help the man who appeared to be in shock.

The man opens the passenger door and crawls out into the water as the reporter yells: "Leave the car! Swim!"

The driver 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.

Trouble in Houston

More than 110,000 Houston area homes and business have lost electricity during storms that flooded roads and grounded hundreds of flights.

CenterPoint Energy crews worked Monday to restore the power lost when up to 16 inches of rain fell in the area.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston reported an increase in the number of flights canceled to 410 as the storms flooded roads near the airport. William P. Hobby Airport has canceled more than 135 flights.

More than 1 million students in the Houston area had a weather-related day off Monday. 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.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Houston area through Tuesday morning.

Your Flooding Photos

Parker County

A voluntary evacuation warning was issued in the Horseshoe Bend community, as officials warned the Brazos River could rise three feet above flood stage -- high enough to strand people, according to the National Weather Service. Residents who live in flood-prone areas should prepare for minor flooding late Monday or early Tuesday.

The Brazos River Authority was expected to open a second gate at Possum Kingdom Lake's Morris Sheppard Dam late Sunday and advised residents to be aware of possible rising water.

Residents were advised to avoid driving into or walking near the dangerous flood waters. For information on potential evacuations on the Brazos River, contact your sheriff's office or county emergency manager.

IRS Tax Filing Extension

Gov. Abbott says some taxpayers affected by severe rain and flooding will qualify for an extension to file their federal tax returns that were due at midnight.

Abbott said Monday that his office had been in contact with the IRS about pushing the tax filing deadline for those in areas inundated by heavy downpours. More than a foot of rain dumped on parts of Houston and knocked out power to thousands of residents.

Sunday

The heavy rain led to high waters and flooded roadways Sunday. Numerous roads across Johnson County were closed because of swift moving water covering the streets.

Multiple events across North Texas were also affected. The Texas Rangers postponed Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles until June 20. The Frisco Rough Riders postponed their game until Monday, when they will play a doubleheader.

The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival was also cancelled.

The Fort Worth Main Streets Arts Festival, however, went on despite the rain. The gloomy weather did impact attendance, but people still came out to the event. NBC 5’s Chris Jose was out at the festival and people were able to enjoy a few rain-free hours Sunday afternoon.

The heavy rain led to rising waters in the Trinity River. NBC 5’s Brian Curtis took a picture of the Trinity River almost out of its banks Sunday afternoon.

The threat for flooding will continue into Tuesday morning.

Whenever active weather moves into DFW, you can keep up with it by downloading the NBC DFW APP!

NBC 5's Todd L. Davis contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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