Dallas looks like Seattle as rain doesn't stop

DALLAS (Reuters) - Dallas is looking a lot like Seattle these days. Drenching rains pounded the city and north-central Texas again on Wednesday, forcing the precautionary evacuation of thousands of residents from several communities to the west of Fort Worth that were threatened with possible flooding.

"There has been a mandatory evacuation of around 3,000 residents in five communities," an official with the Parker County Sheriff's office said. The affected communities were about 40 miles west of Fort Worth.

Officials are mindful after torrential rains last week flooded the north Texas town of Gainesville, forcing many people to the rooftops of their homes.

In Marble Falls near the state capital, Austin, several people were rescued from the tops of their vehicles and even from trees after nearly 20 inches of rain came down in a matter of hours in the latest downpour.

Local media reports said the flood-related death toll over the past week and a half stood at 11. No new fatalities were reported after the latest deluge.

A prolonged drought has been washed away in north Texas. Dams that were low just a couple of months ago are now brimming with water, and rivers are roiling.

An official at the local office of the National Weather Service said this has been the second wettest June since records began in 1899 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with over 10.5 inches of rain. That is about an inch short of the previous record set in 1928.

Flood warnings remained in effect overnight in several north Texas counties. Southern Oklahoma has also been hard hit by the unusual levels of precipitation.

Forecasts called for more rain in the next few days in much of the region better known for big blue skies, searing heat and summertime restrictions on water usage.

(Additional reporting by Jim Forsyth in San Antonio)