Trouble in Texas and Oklahoma as record setting rain fall creates flooding, and takes lives. Emergency crews are scrambled to help the victims in a flood that has already claimed three lives in the Texas-Oklahoma floods that started this weekend. Some areas of Texas and Oklahoma have seen over 10 inches of rain in a 24 hour period, and the concern that the rains and flooding will worsen have the two states fearing for what is to come. Already around 400 homes have been completely cleared by the flooding, and there are some 1,000 people already in shelters. Experts warn of the possibility of more tornadoes like the one that touched down briefly in Houston during the period of intense inclement weather. Experts have advised of more storms that could push through the area all day Monday, carrying with them inches more rain, and deteriorating the already dire situation that people in Texas and Oklahoma face.
Much of the problem is related to the river banks in Texas and Oklahoma reaching a capacity beyond their means, and then “breaking” letting massive amounts of water contained flood into the nearby areas. Warnings for flooding in the area have spread as far Colorado as massive evacuations are mandatory for parts of Houston and further south into Texas. Rescue efforts have begun in much of the two states while people remain stranded on roofs of homes, and trapped within their cars. A Communications Director, Kristi Wyatt mentioned in a statement her concern for those trapped by rising waters, “We have people on car tops and rooftops awaiting rescue. People in homes are going to higher levels.” When flood waters strike residents may attempt to travel away from their homes to seek shelter at point when it is already too late. This leads to residents becoming trapped in cars, or finding themselves being swept away by a strong current.
Additional danger is presented when roads appear to be manageable for drivers, but once on the road they soon realize that they are unable to maneuver their vehicles in the rising tides. One of the victims of the rain is 33 year old woman who lost control of her vehicle when it hydroplaned on a road in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Experts plead to Texas and Oklahoma residents to stay inside of their homes, or risk being caught up in the torrents of severe weather. With the unfortunate state of affairs as workers scramble to take control of the worsening situation in Texas, all onlookers can do is hope that the record setting weather breaks before more destruction is caused by the flooding.
