Nation IN BRIEF : TEXAS : Floodwaters Start to Recede as Sun Shines

Floodwaters began receding along parts of the Brazos River and the National Weather Service canceled a flash flood watch for southeastern Texas as sunshine broke through clouds after early morning rain. In Ft. Bend County, ranchers used boats to ferry bales of hay to hungry cattle isolated by the high water. The Brazos River and two nearby lakes began receding in the area just southwest of Houston. The Brazos dropped from 49.7 feet to 49.5 downstream at Richmond, where flood stage is 48 feet. The Federal Emergency Management Agency added Ft. Bend and five other counties to 19 Texas counties declared federal disaster areas.