An Oklahoma man tragically lost his life after being swept away by flooding on Wednesday, as heavy rain battered the state and parts of Texas.
Around 16 million people in both states were placed under high water alerts as storms continued to impact the region.
The incident occurred in Pottawatomie County, where the man’s vehicle was caught in floodwaters around 12:30 p.m.
The sheriff’s deputy who attempted to rescue the man also became trapped in the flood, but firefighters managed to save him. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the man could not be reached in time and was declared dead at the scene.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the man’s family and loved ones,” said the sheriff’s office in a statement. “Our hearts are heavy tonight for this tragic loss of life.”
The floodwaters were caused by a stalled frontal boundary, which triggered the heavy rain in central Oklahoma and parts of the Dallas area. Roads and other areas were submerged, causing major disruptions.
The National Weather Service confirmed the extreme weather was contributing to hazardous conditions in both Oklahoma and Texas.
The heavy rainfall was part of a series of severe weather events that affected the region. Just a day before, severe weather in Pennsylvania led to the deaths of four individuals. One of them tragically died after being electrocuted while attempting to extinguish a mulch fire.
Rainfall totals were significant in many parts of the region. In Wichita Falls, Texas, nearly 2 inches of rain fell, while Lawton, Oklahoma, saw 2.8 inches.
In some areas, radar estimates show up to 8 inches of rain over 72 hours, though these numbers have not been confirmed.
Flood watches and warnings were issued for around 16 million people in Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. Additionally, tornado watches covered parts of eastern Texas, northern Louisiana, and most of Arkansas, affecting nearly 5 million people.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to the rising floodwaters in Skiatook, a city north of Oklahoma City. Using an airboat, they navigated the streets to monitor the situation and prepare for possible rescues.
The threat of flooding continued throughout the day, with the National Weather Service expecting rivers to remain high and flood through Thursday.
In the Dallas area, the flood warning for Rowlett Creek near Sachse was extended until Thursday morning. Moderate flooding was expected, and local authorities advised residents to remain cautious.
Although the rain was expected to move out of southeastern Oklahoma by Wednesday afternoon, the risk of thunderstorms shifted eastward toward the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys, with continued weather warnings across the region.
The stormy conditions are expected to end by Thursday, but the effects of the heavy rains will linger for days to come.
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