Clear skies replaced storm clouds in Texas and Oklahoma on June 1, but floodwaters from May's record rains remained, slowing crews' efforts to determine damage totals as residents and businesses tried to return to flooded buildings.
Texas, where 23 deaths had been confirmed by June 1, was declared a federal disaster area before the rain stopped. The storms that started on May 4 dumped a total of 35 trillion gallons across the state—enough to cover its surface with 8 in. of water, according to the National Weather Service.