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Relentless downpours were expected in the Dallas area again on Monday afternoon after torrential rain overnight triggered flooding that submerged roads and entire neighborhoods, trapping some residents in their swamped vehicles and homes.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood watches and warnings for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As much as four inches of rain was expected on Monday afternoon after 10 inches fell overnight in some areas.
In Dallas, the fire department responded to 186 high-water incidents and 94 water rescues from Sunday evening to late Monday morning, but there have been no reports of fatalities.
Video footage from local media overnight showed motorists getting out of their submerged vehicles and swimming for safety in the dark. After daybreak, a video from a local ABC affiliate showed firefighters slowly walking a resident away from a flooded home in a strong downpour.
“There is literally no meeting or place to be that is worth risking your life or anyone else on the road. Please STAY HOME if at all possible,” Dallas Councilmen Adam Bazaldua said on Twitter.
Numerous roads remained closed on Monday afternoon due to flooding, the Dallas Police Department said on Twitter, warning motorists to avoid driving in high waters.
The National Weather Service also issued flood advisories for parts of Southern Oklahoma, Northern Louisiana, and Central Mississippi until Tuesday night.
“A multi-day heavy rainfall event is in progress over parts of the southern Plains that may produce instances of flash flooding in urban areas and places with poor drainage,” the weather service said.
Copyright 2022 Thomson/Reuters