Drivers heed flood dangers as Patricia dumps rain on Houston

HOUSTON -- Texas authorities are crediting lessons learned from deadly spring flooding for the low number of stranded drivers and high-water rescues following drenching storms brought by the remnants of Hurricane Patricia.

Authorities said Sunday that only about two dozen cars around Houston were towed from flooded streets. Francisco Sanchez, a spokesman for Harris County's emergency management division, says residents heeded warnings this time around.

At least 2,500 vehicles were stranded around Houston after Memorial Day storms dumped heavy rains and damaged thousands of homes.

PHOTOS: Severe storm damage reported across Houston area

Patricia and another storm system have soaked parts of Texas with a foot of rain since Friday. No deaths have been confirmed or major damage reported.

Officials say the rain quenched parched ground that was able to soak up the water. The downpours were also less intense this time.

Forecasters say relentless storms that dumped more than a foot of rain in some parts of Texas are moving on and that dangerous flood warnings are coming to an end.

National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Overpeck said Sunday that soaking showers around Houston should begin clearing this afternoon.

No deaths or major destruction have been reported since heavy rains started drenching Texas on Friday.

Remnants of Hurricane Patricia and a separate storm system combined to create the biggest deluge in Texas since torrential rains in May washed away homes and killed dozens. But Overpeck said a hot and dry summer allowed the ground to soak up more water this time.

Weekend flooding did cause the derailment of a train and backed up traffic on a busy Texas interstate for 12 miles.