Oklahoma flooding: Thunderstorms with heavy rain moving across Oklahoma

A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of northeast Oklahoma, the National Weather Service reports.

BY ROBERT MEDLEY | Modified: June 14, 2010 at 2:24 pm | Published: June 14, 2010 Comment on this article

Heavy rain is causing high water at numerous intersections this morning as firefighters are responding to reports of stalled motorists.

Road closures due to high water are reporting along numerous major traffic arteries

Heavy rain is expected for the next hour.

The Oklahoma City fire department is trying its best to keep up with calls for help from stranded motorists and others affected by flooding, officials said.

Deputy Chief Marc Woodard said the fire department’s boat team rescued two people trapped in a house near NW 36 and Laird because of high water.

He said the fire department has set up three regional command posts to deal with the flooding.

“Our dispatch center is getting overwhelmed at this time,” Woodard said. “We’ve gotten so many calls.”

Cars are partially submerged on the Broadway Extension at N 36, and crews are responding to rescue motorists. All low-lying areas including NW 36 under Broadway Ext should be avoided.

Jarvis Ross, 31, was riding in a car driven by Jeremy King, 20, of Oklahoma City east on NW 36 about 6:30 am when they hit high water under the Broadway Extension bridge.

"The water didn't look deep at first but as we got closer the car submerged all the way under,'" Ross said. "The current just kind of took us away."

The water was not above the doors and they opened the doors and waded to firmer ground.

"That was the quickest thing I could think about was getting out of the car."

Lightning is causing power outages.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next