Storms and flooding in Texas and the Midwest: One dead and dozens rescued as weather alerts persist
A man died in Dallas, Texas, and 70 were rescued in Wichita, Kansas, after heavy storms caused floods.
A series of storms passed through both the northern and southern United States on Tuesday. Authorities said the Wichita Fire Department in Kansas had 77 calls for cars stuck in flood water. The severe weather stretches as far as Missouri and parts of the southern United States.
In Dallas, Texas, rescue teams were delayed from entering two submerged vehicles until water levels receded. Authorities said that two people escaped from one of the vehicles and the body's of the man was found in the second vehicle.
Kansas and Missouri: Dramatic rescues and property damage
Video footage showed firefighters pulling an elderly woman out of a car in Wichita. Several vehicles were reportedly stuck simultaneously, according to eyewitnesses. Colin Fee and Danielle Hart, who captured one of the rescues, said there was only about an hour’s notice before the streets became flooded.
Kansas City Missouri measured 2.46 inches of rain surpassing the previous daily record. Tornado warnings and high winds occurred alongside the rain, with a semi-truck overturning on Interstate 35. The local Emergency Operations Team was activated to assess damage and remove debris.
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Bleak forecast: New weather alerts for the week
The National Weather Service (NWS) said Wednesday's reprieve from severe weather would not last long. Another round of storms is expected Thursday night from the Great Lakes to eastern Texas, with the risk of heavy rainfall and severe storms possibly impacting more than 33 million people.
The NWS expects a low pressure system to develop over the southern High Plains, which will allow for larger areas of precipitation and storms to develop from Thursday night into Friday. Officials continue to keep alerts out and urge people to follow emergency preparedness guidelines.
