A study puts the spotlight on Texas as the leading U.S. state by far for flood-related deaths, with more than 1,000 of them from 1959 to 2019.

Over 120 people have died after heavy rain pounded Kerr County, Texas, early Friday, leading to "catastrophic" flooding, the sheriff said.

Texas leads the US in flood deaths due to its geography, population and risky behaviour, with experts suggesting that many fatalities, especially in cars, are preventable.