Rain swamps parts of Oklahoma, Texas
DALLAS — A storm system dumped record amounts of rain in parts of Oklahoma and caused flooding in Texas, including in the Dallas area, where floodwaters swept a man from a bridge to his death near the University of Texas’ campus in nearby Arlington.
“[A] witness … stated that the victim was swept under a bridge by rushing waters,” shortly before midnight Friday, according to Arlington Fire Department Lt. Mike Joiner.
The man’s body was found a few hours later. His name hasn’t been released.
The Dallas Fire Department said at least 15 people were rescued from the rising waters about 7 a.m. Saturday, including five Dallas police officers and a motorist. The officers became trapped while trying to rescue the motorist.
Austin fire officials said some 60 people attending a wedding reception were rescued from rising waters that surrounded the venue early Saturday.
A record 14 inches of rain fell Friday at the Oklahoma Climatological Survey’s site in Fittstown, about 75 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, and more than 2 additional inches fell before noon Saturday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Forrest Mitchell in Norman.
Light rain continued Saturday in southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas while the leading edge of the storm moved into southwestern Arkansas, according to the weather service.