Sheriff's deputies continue water rescues

County, state and federal authorities plan to take tour of the Rio Grande Valley via a military Blackhawk helicopter to survey the areas impacted by Hurricane Dolly this afternoon.

County judges Carlos H. Cascos and J.D. Salinas, Governor Rick Perry and U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, will start the tour at 12:30 p.m.

Much of the Valley is under water after Dolly dumped at least 12 inches of rain in some parts. Many areas are still without power.

Meanwhile, Cameron County sheriff's deputies and Emergency Management officials worked throughout the night rescuing residents from the Laguna Madre area from their flooded homes.

"People with the sheriff's department worked in the wee hours of the night" rescuing residents, Cascos said.

Much of the county is under water including highways and roadways.

"You can't differentiate the resacas from the streets," Cascos said.

The frontage road leading into San Benito is covered with at least 10 inches of water. Several streets in the Rio Hondo area are also under water.

The county's assessment team was expected to be out at 7 a.m. to survey the damage.