Torrential rain leads to deadly flash flooding in Oklahoma
Flash flooding causes major impacts across Oklahoma
Drivers were warned to steer clear of flooded roads as heavy storms soaked central Oklahoma on Saturday, April 26. (Credit: @_victoraalvarez via Storyful)
LAWTON, Okla. - Torrential rain swept across portions of southwest Oklahoma and northern Texas during the end of the workweek and into the start of the weekend, triggering deadly flash flooding.
According to police in Lawton, Oklahoma, a person was killed when their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. Police said first responders were unable to safely get to the submerged vehicle.
The Lawton Police Department Dive Team arrived and was able to get the victim out of the vehicle.
The unsettled weather pattern, which began dumping heavy rain on the region earlier in the week, dumped more than a half-foot of precipitation, overwhelming ditches and drainage systems.
On Saturday, the heaviest-impacted region appeared to be the Interstate 35 and 44 corridors, with parts of I-44 shut down southwest of the Oklahoma City metro.
Flash Flood Watches were issued for more than 2 million residents across the southern Plains, with several communities under Flash Flood Warnings.
Hailstorm sweeps through southwest Oklahoma
Severe storms brought heavy hail to parts of southwest Oklahoma early Saturday morning, April 26. (Credit: @1991_teacher via Storyful)
"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles," National Weather Service meteorologists from Norman, Oklahoma, stated.
According to the weather agency, just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet and a foot of floodwater can carry a car away.
Doppler radar indicated rainfall rates between 1-2 inches per hour occurred in the alerted area with upwards of 6 inches of precipitation over the last 24 hours.
Further southwest in the Texas Panhandle, the mixture of hail and rainfall was too much for culverts to handle around the communities of Earth and Springlake.
Video from a storm chaser showed water rushing across Highway 70 after a tornado-warned storm moved through on Friday evening.
"Several people were stuck on the west side of Earth in the hail. They just slid off the road," storm chaser Chris Davis said.
The latest severe weather event came less than a week after five people died from flash flooding and severe weather throughout the southern Plains.
Law enforcement reported responding to dozens of high-water rescues last Sunday around communities such as Moore and around the Tulsa metro.
Read more of this story from FOX Weather.
In-N-Out shooting in Idaho leaves 3 dead, 7 injured
Three people were killed and seven others were injured, several of them critically, after a shooting at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon.
Trump halts Iran strikes, citing potential deal to end war
President Donald Trump says he will halt new strikes against Iran for now, citing a reported deal in the works to end the five-month war.
WestJet flight attendants go on strike, grounding hundreds of flights
WestJet flight attendants went on strike Sunday after contract negotiations failed to produce a new labor agreement, disrupting travel during the busy summer season.
Powerball jackpot soars to $748 million for Monday's drawing
Monday's Powerball jackpot will be the largest prize so far this year.
Orlando weather: Hot, humid day before afternoon storms
Unsettled, cloudy and showery weather continues today. A few thunderstorms will develop, but the lion's share of the rain stays west, over the Gulf Coast region and Big Bend. There's a flood watch for that region until Monday evening.
Orlando weather: Hot, humid day before afternoon storms
Orlando weather: Hot, humid day before afternoon storms
Ford F-150, F-250 recall issued over rear camera issue
Ford is recalling tens of thousands of its trucks over a software issue that can sometimes prevent a driver from seeing the video from the rear-facing camera.
Suspect strikes officer with vehicle, Eustis officials say
A man is in custody after police said he struck an officer with his vehicle during a traffic stop.
In-N-Out Burger shooting leaves multiple dead in Idaho
Multiple people were killed and several more injured in a shooting at an Idaho fast-food restaurant.
45 years later: MTV debuted on this date in 1981
MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with a shuttle launch and the famous Moon Man planting the station’s flag.