Dozens of Oklahoma’s roads were flooded and temporarily impassable Friday afternoon after prolonged, heavy rainfall accumulated across the state. Pictures and video on social media showed the high water.
Flash Flood Threat Increases in Oklahoma
UPDATE: Flash Flood Emergency has been extended for Ada, including Atoka, Coal, Johnston and Pontotoc counties through 4:45pm. Words from the NWS: "DOWNTOWN ADA IS VIRTUALLY IMPASSABLE, WITH WATER NOW REACHING MANY STRUCTURES. NUMEROUS ROADS HAVE BEEN WASHED AWAY… #OKwxHAPPENING NOW – Flash Flood Warnings continue across Oklahoma through the afternoon with rain reports from today nearing a foot in some spots. Please heed all warnings!
Posted by WeatherNation on Friday, September 21, 2018
UPDATE: Flash Flood Emergency has been extended for Ada, including Atoka, Coal, Johnston and Pontotoc counties through 4:45pm. Words from the NWS: "DOWNTOWN ADA IS VIRTUALLY IMPASSABLE, WITH WATER NOW REACHING MANY STRUCTURES. NUMEROUS ROADS HAVE BEEN WASHED AWAY…" #OKwx
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 21, 2018
Pontotoc County, where Ada sits, declared a State of Emergency with the Emergency Operations Center. Johnston County, Oklahoma has been another hard-hit location so far. We have heard of multiple water rescues and impassable roads due to the flooding.
Several counties in Texas have also been under flash flood warnings, including the larger metro area of Wichita Falls.
Rainfall up to ten inches was reported Friday. The heavy rain was due to leftover moisture associated with an old tropical depression in the Gulf of California, increasing moisture coming off the Gulf of Mexico, and a strong cold front moving through the area.
Unfortunately more heavy rain is to come. The heaviest rains should leave the already-soaked areas and move into drier locations. However, the potential of up to several more inches poses a *new* flooding concern for areas that may have not had flooding just yet.
The heavy rain potential will last into Saturday for many of these areas. Be patient with the flooded roads and additional rainfall that is to come. Remember these helpful tips in case you run into flooding waters.
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier