Rain, flooding to continue today across Oklahoma
Rain, flooding to continue today across Oklahoma
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From Staff Reports
Published: August 19, 2008
As much as 10 inches of rain has been reported since Monday near the Red River. Rain and flooding are expected to continue today across the state.
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Heavy rain is expected to continue through tonight across most of the eastern two-thirds of Oklahoma, causing flooding east of Interstate 35 and south of I-40, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain is expected to diminish slowly on Wednesday and Wednesday night, as an upper-level low pressure system slowly moves east and weakens.
Flooding has caused several problems since Monday morning in and near Waurika in Jefferson County, according to the county's emergency management director, including:
• One foot of water in some homes in Waurika.
• Three feet of water over 200 yards of U.S. 70, five miles east of Waurika.
• About 10 1/2 inches of rain, from 5 a.m. Monday to 4 a.m. today, reported at Waurika's fire department.
• Surden Bridge on U.S. 81 reportedly under water.
The flood threat is expected to end by Wednesday.
Precipitation has inundated some low-lying areas and streams in western Oklahoma, but water is helping ease the drought in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
Skies today across the state are expected to be mainly cloudy, with a slight chance of rain in all but the southeast, where precipitation is likely. Temperatures should reach the 70s statewide before falling into the mid-50s to mid-60s tonight.
On Wednesday, skies should be partly cloudy and conditions should dry in the Panhandle, but it is expected to be wet and a little warmer elsewhere. Temperatures should reach the mid-70s to mid-80s.
Rain thunderstorms are possible in all but the Panhandle on Thursday and highs should reach the 80s and 90s. Lows should be in the 60s Thursday night.
Flood advisories, warnings, watch issued
Small stream flood advisory
• Until 1:15 p.m. today: southern Cleveland, eastern Caddo, northwestern Garvin, central Grady and McClain counties.
• Until 1:45 p.m. today: Carter, southwestern Garvin, southeastern Grady, northeastern Jefferson, Love, southwestern Marshall, western Murray and eastern Stephens counties.
A small stream flood advisory means river or stream flows are elevated or ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent.
Flood warning
• Until 4:15 p.m. today: Urban areas and small streams in northeastern Canadian, southeastern Kingfisher, southwestern Logan and northwestern Oklahoma counties.
• Until tonight: North Canadian River in Oklahoma City and North Canadian River near Yukon.
• Until late today: Deep Red Creek near Randlett.
A flood warning means flooding is occurring or is imminent. Rivers and creeks are overflowing and heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas is happening.
Flash flood watch
• Until Wednesday morning: Atoka, Bryan, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Coal, Garvin, Grady, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshal, McClain, Murray, Oklahoma, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Stephens counties.
A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding.
A flash flood is usually the result of heavy or excessive amounts of rainfall within a short period of time, usually less than 6 hours, causing water to rise and fall quite rapidly.
Rain totals
During a 24-hour period ending at 10:30 a.m. today, 7.10 inches of rain was reported in Waurika in Jefferson County, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet.
Other Mesonet sites reporting at least 2 inches during the same period:
• 6.55 inches, Minco in Grady County
• 4.75 inches, El Reno in Canadian County
• 3.83 inches, west Oklahoma City
• 3.70 inches, Norman in Cleveland County
• 3.53 inches, north Oklahoma City
• 3.32 inches, Apache in Caddo County
• 3.01 inches, east Oklahoma City
• 2.89 inches, Washington in McClain County
• 2.85 inches, Grandfield in Tillman County
• 2.49 inches, Mangum in Greer County
• 2.37 inches, Walters in Cotton County
• 2.34 inches, Chickasha in Grady County
• 2.34 inches, Ninnekah in Grady County
• 2.20 inches, Slapout in Beaver County
• 2.16 inches, Acme in Grady County
• 2.06 inches, Hinton in Caddo County
• 2.01 inches, Bessie in Washita County
Oklahoma forecast
• Today: Highs in the 70s. Occasional rain and thunderstorms. Local heavy rain possible.
• Tonight: Lows from the mid-50s to mid-60s. Occasional rain and thunderstorms. Local Heavy rain possible.
• Wednesday: Highs from the mid-70s to mid-80s. Occasional rain and thunderstorms.
Oklahoma City-area forecast
• Today: Highs in the lower 70s. Easterly winds about 10 mph. Rain and occasional thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy at times.
• Tonight: Lows in the mid-60s. Easterly winds about 10 mph. Eighty percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy at times.
• Wednesday: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s Light and variable winds. Fifty percent chance of thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid-60s. Easterly winds up to 10 mph. Thirty percent chance of thunderstorms.
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