At Least 1 Killed in Severe Flooding in Southeast Texas

— -- At least one person is dead in Southeast Texas after heavy rains and extreme flooding barreled through the area, officials said, and the threat is not over -- flash flood warnings are in effect this afternoon in Texas counties including Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and San Jacinto.

The death was reported in Brenham, located about halfway between Austin and Houston. Two people were also missing there, the Brenham Fire Department said this morning. Brenham schools are closed today and fire officials said several homes suffered damage.

The rain in Brenham set a new record -- the city recorded its wettest day ever Thursday with 16.6 inches of rain.

Thirty-six water rescues were reported Thursday in Washington County, Texas, which encompasses the city of Brenham.

In nearby Travis County, up to 9 inches of rain fell overnight, Travis County Emergency Services spokeswoman Lisa Block said, according to The Associated Press.

At least two people were reported missing in Travis County after getting trapped in a car in high waters, according to Angel Flores, spokesman for the Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. And at least 12 people in Travis County were rescued from high waters, Flores said.

In Bastrop County, near Austin, about 100 to 120 people evacuated voluntarily, officials said. No injuries or deaths were reported there, Bastrop County officials said.

The severe weather extended beyond southeastern Texas, with much of the Plains and the South suffering from flash flooding.