An Oklahoma man tragically lost his life due to severe flooding on Wednesday, as intense rain affected areas in both Oklahoma and Texas, leaving approximately 16 million people under high water alerts. The victim, located in Pottawatomie County, was swept away around 12:30 p.m. while in his vehicle, prompting a rescue effort by a sheriff’s deputy who also became trapped but was eventually saved by firefighters. The sheriff’s office expressed deep sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the challenges faced in the rescue attempt.
The flooding resulted from a stalled frontal boundary, leading to heavy rains that caused roadways and various areas in central Oklahoma and the Dallas region to inundate. On the previous day, severe weather in Pennsylvania had already claimed four lives, underscoring the dangerous impact of the storms.
Rainfall amounts were significant, with around 2 inches recorded in Wichita Falls, Texas, and 2.8 inches in Lawton, Oklahoma. As flood watches and warnings were issued across Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri, tornado watches were also activated for regions spanning eastern Texas to northern Louisiana.
In Skiatook, north of Oklahoma City, officials utilized an airboat to navigate rising floodwaters from Bird Creek and prepare for potential rescues. The National Weather Service indicated that while the most intense rainfall had passed by Wednesday afternoon, flooding risks would persist along rivers through Thursday.
In the Dallas area, flood warnings remained active for Rowlett Creek, with moderate flooding expected. Although the heavy rainfall in the south-central U.S. is projected to cease by Thursday, thunderstorms may then shift to the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys.
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