Flooding Forces Evacuations In Southeast Texas

The deluge of rain that's pummeled southeastern Texas has sent rivers surging to levels not seen in decades.

The rising Brazos River has forced the evacuation of hundreds from Simonton to Richmond and is expected to hit a record eight and a half feet above flood stage.

An area that's no stranger to flooding has still found itself overwhelmed, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez.

"Yeah, you're prepared but you're not prepared for eight or nine feet of water," said one resident.
Four days of torrential rains have caused flooding now blamed for six deaths along the Brazos. The Brazos River Authority says every single one of the 11 reservoirs fed by the swollen river are already 95 to 100 percent full.

Dozens of people in Fort Bend County needed to be rescued Monday after ignoring earlier warnings to evacuate.

Alice Gracias was shocked after she returned to see the damage to her home. With no flood insurance, she now will have to rebuild the property left to her by her father.

"It's really sad. Thirty-three years and never ever seen it like this," Gracias said.

Now, with more rain on the way, waterlogged areas could see another round of flooding.

"That is a very disturbing prospect because the rivers are full, the ditches are full and if we get more rain on top of it, that water's not going to have any place to go," said Jeff Braun of the Ford Bend County.

Brazos River will remain at major flood stage for the next few days at least. This area could see up two more inches of rain between now and Friday.