16 die in storm-lashed Texas and Louisiana

The death toll from flooding in Texas and Louisiana has risen to 16.

Houston Mayor Lee Brown estimated the cost of repairing flood-damaged properties in the city would be $1bn.

At least one storm-related death was reported in Louisiana, and officials said the death toll in the Houston area was up to 15.

Mr Brown urged employers to give workers the day off on Monday.

"Because of buildings being closed, power out and water in some of the buildings, I'm asking employers to consider tomorrow a day of recovery to let downtown get back on track, back on its feet, to take the day off to take care of their own problems or to help friends or neighbours," he said.

A rain gauge on the city's east side had measured nearly three feet of rain since Tropical Storm Allison came ashore last week. More than 20 inches of rain fell in some areas on Friday and Saturday.

Truck driver Charles Steele had to swim away from his lorry when the rapidly rising water made his empty tanker trailer float.

Al Guillen and his family had to move to the second floor of their home in the Houston subdivision of Hunterwood Village, when snakes and lizards floated in three feet of water on the ground floor.

Mr Guillen said he let some of his neighbours' dogs into the house, saying: "They were crying because they couldn't swim any more."