Flooding sweeps Texas, killing 2

A man sits on top of a home on Buttonbush Drive in southeast Austin, Texas, October 31, 2013. [Photo/icpress.cn]

HOUSTON - A strong storm battered central and southeast Texas Thursday, killing at least two people and causing high water, flash floods, and power outages across the US state.

Central Texas was the hardest-hit area where the storm dumped more than a foot (305 mm) of rain, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a flash flood warning through Thursday afternoon for more than ten counties across Texas.

Emergency personnel in helicopters and boats rescued more than 100 people stranded in vehicles, stuck in trees, and on their rooftops.

In Austin, Texas' capital city, at least two people died because of the floods, more than 1,000 homes evacuated and a few schools called off classes due to the extreme weather, officials said.

The largest city of Texas, Houston, was also hit hard by the severe storm.