As strong storms moved through North Texas overnight, flash flooding happened in Dallas early Wednesday morning and killed one person. Heavy rain and bad road conditions were caused by the storm. In just a few hours, it rained more than four inches in some parts of DFW.
Dallas Fire Rescue says the fatal accident happened at 12900 Park Central Dr., near White Rock Creek and the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. This is an area that often floods.
A Flash Flood Warning was sent out by the National Weather Service for Dallas County. It was in place until about 3 a.m. Wednesday. At the same time as the warning, many people were being saved from high water across the city, including at the scene of the death.
Dallas Fire Rescue said that just after midnight, someone called 911 to say that their car was stuck in high water on Park Central Drive under the I-635 bridge.
A spokesperson for the fire service said that Dallas Police and DFR saw the two cars. There were two people who were able to get out of one of the cars and were helped by Dallas Police, who arrived first.
When the swift water team from Dallas Fire Rescue got there, the other car was totally submerged, but crews still tried to get into the floodwaters with the rescue boat. They said the boat flipped over.
“One of the boats that launched to go conduct the rescue actually was overturned and the members were ejected from the boat,” said Jason Evans from DFR. “Thankfully, even though they got swept downstream, they were able to make it to safe refuge by grabbing onto the side where land was available to grab.”
Evans said that all of the teams had survival gear that helped them get to a place where they could get off. He said crews launched a second boat and nearly had it overturn again in the sheer force of the flood — but were able to pull back in safely.
“It was at that point had to make the decision to allow the waters to recede before we could do anything with regard to locating the individual that we ultimately found inside of his car,” he added.
During the storm on Tuesday night, a man died when he was trapped in his car during floods. Dallas Fire-Rescue says their boat flipped over in the rough water while they were trying to get to the buried car. All of this took place in North Dallas at the point where Park Central Drive and I-635 meet. This is what Sophia Beausoleil says.
When the police were able to search the second car, they found a dead adult man inside. At around 5:30 a.m., the Dallas County Medical Examiner arrived at the scene. The victim’s name has not been made public yet.
Road crews spent much of the morning cleaning up debris, thick mud and even a large uprooted tree that had washed up onto the service roads and underpass along Park Central. Also, some street signs were broken and needed to be fixed.
In total, Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to five water rescues across the city overnight. Three incidents involved multiple vehicles stranded in high water, and one involved a car that stalled out.
Dallas Fire-Rescue says its teams train year-round for swift water rescues. The department operates two dedicated swift water stations, with several other stations equipped with fast water boats and rescue gear to respond during severe weather events.
“I think this incident emphasizes how important it is not to underestimate the circumstances as they present themselves, because they can quickly evolve in a bad way,” Evans said.
Officials continue to urge drivers to avoid flooded roads and to never attempt to drive through standing water.
“We try to encourage members to be mindful of where they’re driving and especially when it’s dark outside, to slow down and be extra vigilant about monitoring what’s in front of you,” Evans said. “It can only take a matter of minutes before your car stalls out and just become stuck to the point where the water is up to your wheel wells and your vehicle starts to float.”
One person has died during a flash flood as overnight storms rocked Dallas on Tuesday. Larry Collins tells us the details.
The city of Dallas said according to the Dallas Water Utilities, flooded warning systems near the intersection near the I-635 exit and Park Central Rd. were operational at the time of the heavy rain and the lights were flashing.
The city said the area is not gate-controlled.
“This section of White Rock Creek floods during heavy rains. The area has been evaluated for gates previously and they were not recommended due to a number of challenges. When there are requests by first responders for temporary barricades, crews from Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and Transportation and Public Works (TPW) will respond,” said a spokesperson for the City of Dallas.
About a decade ago, TEX Express built bypass lanes above the I-635 exit at Park Central Drive to avoid the creek during heavy rain.
The intersection is next to Watermark Church in North Dallas.
In a statement, the church said, “While Watermark is deeply grieved by this loss, we do not have any additional information to share as the incident did not occur on our property. Our leadership team spent time praying for the family of the deceased this afternoon; that God would comfort and sustain them.”
