A deadly flash flood in Dallas is raising new questions about how something like that could happen especially since the area under 635 at Park Central is known to flood. Meredith Yeomans has a closer look and some answers from the city of Dallas.
One person has died after flash flooding in Dallas early Wednesday morning, as powerful storms swept through North Texas overnight. The system brought torrential rain and dangerous road conditions. Some parts of DFW saw more than four inches of rain in just a few hours.
According to Dallas Fire Rescue, the fatal incident occurred near the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway at 12900 Park Central Dr. near White Rock Creek, an area prone to flooding.
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WATCH HEREThe National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Dallas County, which remained in effect until around 3 a.m. Wednesday. That warning coincided with multiple high-water rescues across the city, including the scene where the death was reported.
Just after midnight, Dallas Fire Rescue said someone called 911 to report their vehicle was stuck in high water on Park Central Drive underneath the I-635 bridge.
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SIGN UP Dallas Police and DFR saw the two vehicles, according to a spokesperson for the fire department. Two people were able to escape from one of the vehicles and were assisted by Dallas Police, who responded to the scene first.
Officials say when Dallas Fire Rescue's swift water team arrived, the other vehicle was completely submerged but crews still attempted to get into the flood waters with the rescue boat. They said the boat capsized.
"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 with 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."
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Evans said all crews were equipped with flotation devices, which helped them get to a spot to climb out. 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 said.
Once first responders were able to search the second vehicle, they found one adult male still inside who was pronounced dead. The Dallas County Medical Examiner arrived on the scene around 5:30 a.m. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.
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. Some street signs were also brought down and needed to be repaired.
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."
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."
