Storms Ease in Texas, but Runoff Could Mean More Flooding
By JUAN A. LOZANO and SETH ROBBINS ••
A 27-year-old man was killed and a woman injured after a car ran into a light pole and was split in two Thursday morning in Lake Highlands.The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the 11000 block of LBJ Freeway near Walnut Hill Lane. The male passenger was ejected from the car and died at the scene, police said. The woman…
NBC 5 is teaming up with the Red Cross and Kroger to assist Texans affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. People can go to any Kroger in DFW and drop loose change into coin boxes located at every checkout stand. The money goes directly to support disaster relief efforts for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Although the deadly thunderstorms that lashed much of Texas have tapered off, many cities were still in danger Thursday as the runoff kept pouring into rising rivers, and officials warned about the risk of more flooding.
The Houston area got a respite from rainy weather a day earlier, but heavy rains from earlier in the week were still flowing downstream.
In the suburbs, the San Jacinto River was above flood stage, and its floodwaters threatened to strand some people in their homes for days.
About 60 miles southwest of Houston, the mayor of Wharton asked residents to voluntarily evacuate about 300 homes because of the predicted rise of the Colorado River.
And in the rural Parker County community of Horseshoe Bend, some 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth, officials asked people in 250 homes to flee from the swelling Brazos River.
Getty Images
Trees are submerged at Buffalo Bayou park after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected.
Getty Images
The Brays Bayou flows after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Workers tend to equipment used to pump water from Padera Lake as water pours over a temporary dam on May 27, 2015 in Midlothian, Texas. Officials feared that the temporary dam on Padera Lake would fail due to recent heavy rains in the area. Areas throughout Texas have expierenced flash flooding and numerous deaths due to weeks of heavy rainfall. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Faculty and volunteers organize flood relief supplies at Wimberley High School May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Clothes and other flood relief supplies are gathered at Wimberley High School May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Debris is collected in front of Rio Bonito Resort May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Debris is strewn along Ranch Road 12 near the Blanco River May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A house near the Blanco River sustained heavy damage May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Debris is strewn along Ranch Road 12 near the Blanco River May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images
A house near the Blanco River sustained heavy damage May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Debris is strewn along Ranch Road 12 near the Blanco River May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Debris is strewn along Ranch Road 12 near the Blanco River May 26, 2015 in Wimberley, Texas. Central Texas has been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Damaged homes sit with discarded carpet on the lawn after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Southeast and central Texas have been hit with severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes over the past several days. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Storm destruction along the Blanco River May 27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas. Central Texas has been inundated with tornadoes and flash flooding the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Damaged homes sit with discarded carpet following massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 18 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, has struck over the past several days. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Cliff Watkins cleans up his parents house following the massive flooding, May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Watkins, who grew up in the house, said this is the fifth time it has flooded since the 1970's and that one can't even get a home loan for the area without flood insurance. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Brays Bayou flows after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Volunteers search for missing bodies along the Blanco River May 27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas. Central Texas has been inundated with tornadoes and flash flooding the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)nSubscription download Date created: May 27, 2015nEditorial #: 474878268 Restrictions: Contact your local office for all commercial or promotional uses. Full editorial rights UK, US, Ireland, Canada (not Quebec). Restricted editorial rights for daily newspapers elsewhere, please call.nLicense type: Rights-managed Similar imagesnView all Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country US-WEATHER-FLOOD US-WEATHER-FLOOD US-WEATHER-FLOOD Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country Record Rains Spawn Epic Floods In Austin, Texas Hill Country NEW! SAVE BIG ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT WITH PREMIUM PACKSnKeywords 2015, Emergencies and Disasters, Extreme Weather, Flood, Gulf Coast States, Horizontal, Searching, Texas, USA, Volunteer, Weather This image is subject to copyright. Getty Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or clip, and to seek damages for copyright violations. To learn more about copyright and Getty Images’ enforcement program, click here. Availability for this image cannot be guaranteed until time of purchase.
Getty Images
Volunteers search for missing bodies along the Blanco River May 27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas. Central Texas has been inundated with tornadoes and flash flooding the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Storm destruction along the Blanco River May 27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas. Central Texas has been inundated with tornadoes and flash flooding the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Storm destruction along the Blanco River May 27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas. Central Texas has been inundated with tornadoes and flash flooding the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
People jog at Buffalo Bayou park after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Storm destruction along the Blanco River May 27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas. Central Texas has been inundated with tornadoes and flash flooding the past several days. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Trees are submerged at Buffalo Bayou park after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A turtle suns itself in front of submerged pedestrian bridge at Buffalo Bayou park after massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Diego Singleton's vehicle sits on Allen Parkway, the last remaining vehicle to be towed from underneath the Montrose Blvd. overpass following massive flooding May 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. At least 19 people have been killed across Texas and Oklahoma after severe weather, including catastrophic flooding and tornadoes, struck over the past several days, with more rain expected. (Photo by Eric Kayne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rising floodwaters at Shoal Creek are shown after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Forrest Huggleston and Alex Huff watch flooding at Shoal Creek after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Utility vehicles line Texas Ranch Road 12 on May 25, 2015 in Wimberly, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A "High Water" is shown on Texas Ranch Road 12 on May 25, 2015 in Wimberly, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference at the Wimberley Community Center May 25, 2015 in Wimberly, Texas. Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Parts of the city are shown inundated after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Cars sit in floodwaters along Interstate 45 after heavy overnight rain flooded parts of the highway in Houston, Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Several major highways in the Houston area are closed due to high water.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Robert Briscoe removes a suitcase from his flooded car along Interstate 45 in Houston, Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Overnight heavy rains caused flooding, closing some portions of major highways in the Houston area.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Cars remain stranded along a flooded section of Interstate 45 after heavy rains overnight in Houston, Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Several major highways are closed in the Houston area due to high water.
Getty Images
Parts of the city are shown inundated after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Amy Lohr and Marian McCoy stand in the flooding at Shoal Creek after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rain falls on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Murphy Canning and Annika Rolston watch as a street remains underwater from days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Murphy Canning plays near a street that remains underwater from days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A Car2Go sits partially submerged in the flood zone after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A street is shown partially submerged after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A couple watches flooding at Shoal Creek after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Parts of the city are shown inundated after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Tape is stretched across a flooded Sixth Street after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A woman walks on Lamar Street after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Lamar Street is reopened after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Ben Sioberman works to get water out of the flooded Whole Earth Provisions Company on Lamar Street after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Lucas Rivas looks into the flooded Whole Earth Provisions Company on Lamar Street after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Bike spokes are shown caked with debris on Lamar Street after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A couple walk on Lamar Street as heavy rain continues on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The flooded Whole Earth Provisions Company on Lamar Street is shown after days of heavy rain on May 25, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Cars are flooded out along Bellfort Street in Houston.
Cars are flooded out along Bellfort Street in Houston.
Cars are flooded out along Bellfort Street in Houston.
Getty Images
Debris is shown scattered on land next to Texas Ranch Road 12 on May 25, 2015 in Wimberly, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Mike Holp
Photo of a tipped over house in Wimberley, Texas
Steve Dunk/NBC
Un puente de carretera fue destruido por la corriente de las aguas.
Getty Images
A Texas flag sits in the ground along Texas Ranch Road 12 on May 25, 2015 in Wimberly, Texas. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott toured the damage zone where one person is confirmed dead and at least 12 others missing in flooding along the Rio Blanco, which reports say rose as much as 40 feet in places, caused by more than 10 inches of rain over a four-day period. The governor earlier declared a state of emergency in 24 Texas counties. (Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images)
Steve Dunk
Grand Prairie firefighters had to rescue a woman who they say drove around barricades and into high water on Riverside Parkway.
NBC 5 News
California Crossing Road along the Dallas-Irving border was closed because high water covers the road. Officials urge drivers not to go around blockades or drive through water-covered roads.
NBC 5 News
California Crossing Road along the Dallas-Irving border was closed because high water. Firefighters rescued two men after their car was swept away by floodwaters.
By early Thursday, Parker County Emergency Management spokesman Joel Kertok said the Brazos had almost crested, but officials had no immediate reports of flooded homes and were monitoring the situation.
He said the river, which has a flood level of 21 feet, was at about 23 feet.
The death toll from the storms and flooding in Texas and Oklahoma climbed to 23 and was expected to increase as eight people are still missing, authorities said late Wednesday. Rescuers said they had identified the body of a Texas mother, days after she and seven others went missing over Memorial Day weekend when raging floodwaters swept away their vacation home in Wimberley.
Michelle Carey-Charba, 43, was found Wednesday, even as her family told NBC News they were still holding out hope that she and the rest of the family might still be alive.
"We're not going to stop looking until we've found them," said Alan Daniel, her brother-in law.
Only one person who was in the house has been found: Jonathan McComb, Carey-Charba's family friend, who was found badly injured but alive Monday after floodwaters carried him several miles from where the vacation house once stood in the town of Wimberley.
Still missing: Carey-Charba's husband, Randy; their young son Will; her parents, Ralph and Sue Carey; McComb's wife, Laura; and the two young McCombs children, Andrew and Leighton.
Authorities have also identified the body of a man found in San Marcos as that of 74-year-old Dayton Larry Thomas, bringing the number of people missing in Hays County to eight.
The body of a boy was recovered from the Blanco River in rural Hays County. Officials say it's unclear whether the child is on the county's list of those missing from the storm.
By late Wednesday, the San Jacinto was at 52 feet, nearly 3 feet above flood stage, said Kim Jackson, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Flood Control District.
Joey Shedd, 23, didn't plan on evacuating his home in the Moonshine Hill neighborhood located along the San Jacinto. Shedd said his home is safe because it stands on stilts, but he expected his parents' home next door to flood because it's at ground level.
"It hasn't been this bad since Hurricane Ike," in 2008.
He said the all-terrain vehicle he was using to ride across flooded roads "barely makes it to my house."
Chuck Bayne was among those who decided to follow authorities' advice and leave his North Texas home in Horseshoe Bend. On Wednesday, Bayne, owner of the Brazos RV Resort, headed to his second home in Arlington.
"Everybody on the river is leaving, except you have a couple dozen who aren't leaving. They're afraid of looters, and some are just plain stubborn," he said.
In Wharton, the Colorado River is expected to crest at about 45.5 feet, which is nearly 7 feet above flood stage, by Saturday.
"Our main concern was getting residents ahead of the game and giving them notice to voluntary evacuate," said Paula Favors, city secretary in Wharton, which has more than 8,800 residents.
In Houston, 800 to 1,400 homes have already been damaged by the flooding. Thousands of homes were also damaged or destroyed in the Central Texas corridor that includes Wimberley — 744 of them in San Marcos alone.
This has been the wettest month on record for Texas, even with several days left. The state climatologist's office said Texas has received an average of 7.54 inches of rain in May, breaking the old record of 6.66 inches set in June 2004. While rain is in the forecast for many areas for the next couple of days, the chances for showers are greater during the weekend.
On the banks of the Blanco in Central Texas, Brian Martinez and his wife, Pam, continued cleaning their home Wednesday after it was swamped when the river crested Sunday.
"I've cried all day," said Pam Martinez. "Every time I opened a drawer and saw there was more water, it was too much for me."
