A tornado and torrential rains hit northern Mexico as well as the US states of Texas and Oklahoma Monday, killing at least 18 people and leaving thousand of homes damaged, news reportssaid, dpa reported. Thirteen people were killed in Ciudad Acuna on the border with the United States by the tornado, and about 1,500 houses were destroyed, the mayor of the town told Mexican media. Coahuila state Secretary of Government Victor Zamora said at least 230 were injured. A further 5 people were killed over the border in the US states of Texas and Oklahoma by floods on Saturday and Sunday, local media reported. In Hays County in Texas a search and rescue operation was under way for 12 people who were missing after a river broke its banks, USA Today reported. The raging water swept away vehicles and homes, taking their occupants with it. Governor Greg Abbott told a news conference the rising water had a"tsunami-like power." Abbott declared a state of emergency in 37 counties as the US National Weather Service on Monday posted flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings for an area stretching from southern Texas northward into Oklahoma. -- SPA 11:49 LOCAL TIME 08:49 GMT تغريد
