Southern US flood toll rises to 23

Washington

Rescue teams working in areas most affected by storms and floods in the southern US states of Texas and Oklahoma are continuing to recover bodies, bringing the toll to 23, Efe news agency reported on Thursday.

Heavy rainfall on Wednesday threatened to once again flood the city of Houston where six people have died and two remain missing.

Ten people died in other parts of Texas, most drowned in floods caused by storms and tornadoes over the weekend, The Weather Channel reported.

On Wednesday, teams in central Texas rescued one person missing since Saturday and continued searching for a dozen more.

In neighbouring Oklahoma, authorities confirmed the deaths of seven people, including a firefighter in Claremore who perished while trying to rescue others.