What to Know
- By some estimates, more than 10 inches of rain have fallen in the East Dallas area. There are several road closures due to high water. Drivers are encouraged to avoid driving Monday and use extreme caution on roadways.
- A Flood Watch remains in effect in Dallas County until noon due to excessive rainfall.
- A River Flood Warning is in effect in Dallas County. At 12:45 a.m. Monday the stage was 18.4 feet. The flood stage is 30 feet. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage later Monday and crest near 34.3 feet this evening, then fall.
Heavy rain led to flash flooding in Dallas early Monday morning leaving some drivers stranded and others fleeing their cars as high water swept them off the road.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until noon Monday as flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas.
Heavy rainfall could also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Dallas Police worked to rescue stranded drivers after several vehicles were partially submerged at Cesar Chavez and Interstate 45 in Dallas.
One man was seen sitting on the roof of his car until first responders could get him to safety. Another driver of a pickup truck that was almost completely submerged was also rescued, the water was up to their shoulders as they walked to safety.
Drivers were also rescued off Lemmon Avenue near Inwood where water floated several cars down the street.
Another hard-hit area was near Baylor Scott & White’s emergency room near Hall and Worth Streets. Several drivers had to abandon their cars when fast-moving flood waters carried them.
“How scared was I? Baby, I almost drowned in this car. I had to kick this door open to get out of this car,” one woman told NBC 5’s Larry Collins.
Another woman and her kids had to get out of their car when water started filling her car and she said it was as high as her driver’s side window.
NBC 5 meteorologist Grant Johnston said many areas of Dallas received more than eight inches of rain in the past 24 hours and more torrential rain is expected to add to those rain totals.
On Twitter, the Dallas Police Department urged drivers to stay off the road if possible.