"Heavy rains and high winds from a storm system moving north from Mexico flooded parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, leaving at least one person dead, officials said on Wednesday.

A 30-year-old man drowned on Tuesday night from attempting to drive his sports utility vehicle across a flooded area in rural southeastern Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service.

Flash flood watches and flood warnings were in effect on Wednesday as far north as Illinois and Missouri as downpours are forecast to continue through Friday from the slow-moving storm, the National Weather Service said."

Justin Madden reports for Reuters March March 9, 2016. [2]