Flash flooding leads to high water rescue, crashes in Dallas

Persistent rain over the past fortnight has triggered yet another series of flash floods across North Texas.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, numerous roads in the metroplex became impassable, leading to several incidents of high water that kept fire rescue crews active.

The string of events began on Tuesday night when the Denton Fire Department received a call about two stranded bicyclists on the Greenbelt around 8:30 p.m. Despite challenges posed by darkness and high water, both individuals were successfully rescued without injury.

As storms intensified around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, reports of high-water incidents surged across the DFW area.

At approximately 5:30 a.m., a 911 caller reported hearing a man yelling for help near Skillman and Walnut Hill roads in Dallas. According to Dallas Fire Rescue, the man had fallen down a steep embankment during the heavy rain. Responders located him about 50 or 60 feet down along the Jackson branch of White Rock Creek.

Following his discovery, first responders navigated to his location, secured him onto a backboard, and brought him to safety. The man sustained lower-body injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. The circumstances surrounding his presence outdoors during the rain and his fall remain unclear.

Numerous areas along White Rock Creek experienced flooding, rendering roads impassable.

Lawther Drive between Northwest Highway and GoForth Road remained submerged in high water as of 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. A black SUV was observed submerged, apparently swept off the road by rushing water. Dallas Fire classified the incident as high water, with no reported injuries or rescues necessary.

According to Jason Evans of Dallas Fire Rescue, most high-water incidents involve vehicles stalling out due to driving through flooded areas, requiring assistance to escort occupants to safety. City crews closed off affected roads along the creek, including stretches as far north as Merriman Parkway off Abrams Road.

Evans emphasized the importance of avoiding flooded areas and seeking alternative routes. He warned about the dangers of hydroplaning, particularly on freeways, even with minimal water accumulation.

Dallas Fire Rescue responded to a total of 50 accidents on Wednesday morning, one of which involved a semi-truck. Dallas County Sheriff’s deputies attended a major accident involving three vehicles at Highway 75 southbound and Live Oak near downtown Dallas, where the semi-truck was found hanging off the side of a bridge. The crash remains under investigation, and the driver’s condition is unknown at this time.