Eight dead in historic Houston Floods

The deaths of eight drivers whose bodies were pulled from vehicles inundated by this week's torrential rains in the Houston area have prompted local leaders to push for improvements in how they warn people about the dangers of flooded roads.

Houston and nearby counties have been hit with more than a foot of rain since Sunday night. Six of the driver deaths occurred in the city or suburbs of Houston, while two happened in surrounding counties. Three of the deaths were at the same Houston underpass.

The flooding also has forced thousands of people from their homes as creeks and bayous became overwhelmed.

"There's no question that not enough has been done" to warn drivers, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said Thursday. Emmett is leading an effort to ensure drivers are properly notified about flooded roads during heavy storms.

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