Tornadoes, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and flooding have forced evacuations and roof top rescues in Texas.

Firefighter dies performing rescue operation during flooding in Claremore, Oklahoma, official says. http://t.co/8V4jpJYJ4F— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) May 24, 2015

Around 2,000 people have had to be evacuated.

The state governor said the situation just south of Austin was the worst he has ever seen after a wall of water pulled down trees and destroyed homes.

As least three people have died including a 14-year.old boy and his dog who were found in a storm drain in a suburb of Dallas.

Schools have been closed and curfews extended in some areas.

The severe weather is expected to continue throughout the week.