A slow, moving storm caused fatal flooding in Oklahoma on Wednesday, closing roads and wiping cars.
Parts of Oklahoma and Texas were expected to cause more flash floods as more rain could fall on Thursday, the National Weather Service warned after inches of rain fell in both states.
A man was killed in Pottawatomy County, Oklahoma, the sheriff's office said after receiving a report of a vehicle swept off the road. According to the sheriff's office, the deputy sheriff tried to save the man, but “became a powerful stream and trapped in a life-threatening situation.” The aide was taken to the hospital and the man died at the scene, the sheriff's office said.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman Sarastuwart told The Associated Press A spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a second person died in neighbouring Lincoln County when the vehicle was caught in a flood.
Parts of central and southern Oklahoma received up to 8 inches of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, dropping up to 6 inches across parts of Texas. The National Weather Service said it is expected to receive more than an inch of rain over southwestern Oklahoma and the Red River to Arkansas, and the location just north of the river could exceed two inches on Thursday.
Rainfall can drop at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour. This will easily overwhelm the ground that has already been soaked. The heaviest rain was expected on Thursday evening and overnight, according to forecasters.
On Wednesday evening, the state's Emergency Management Agency said it would forcefully close road closures in at least 32 Oklahoma counties on Wednesday.
“While some roads have receding water, the condition of road infrastructure due to washing needs to be inspected for safety,” the Lincoln County Emergency Management Department said.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has warned drivers to avoid flooding.
More thunderstorms could result in bigger hail and more flash floods throughout the nights in Oklahoma and north, according to forecasters.
The storm is expected to continue through Friday, with a risk of further flooding across central and northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma, central Arkansas and southern Louisiana, among other things.
The Weather Forecast Center warned that the area along Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio is particularly vulnerable as its topography and soil do not absorb water well. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the interstate was temporarily closed near Oklahoma City on Wednesday due to flooding.
According to Poweroutage.us, the storm continues to harsh Pennsylvania weather this week. Those storms took four lives.
Severe weather in Oklahoma and Texas was expected to clear Friday, but rest may be short. Next week, another storm system will approach from the west.
“Texas and Oklahoma have to be prepared for more heavy rain,” said Peter Marinax, a meteorologist at the Center for Meteorological Prediction. “They'll expect more rain as we'll come again next week.”
