An Oklahoma man tragically died after being swept away by flooding during severe rain on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Pottawatomie County around 12:30 p.m. when the man’s vehicle was taken off the roadway. A sheriff’s deputy who attempted to rescue him also became trapped but was ultimately saved by firefighters. Unfortunately, the man could not be reached in time and passed away at the scene. The local sheriff’s office expressed their condolences to the victim’s family in a public statement.
The flooding resulted from heavy rain associated with a stalled frontal boundary affecting central Oklahoma and the Dallas area. In the preceding 72 hours, some regions recorded up to 8 inches of rain, contributing to hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service reported that around 16 million people across Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri were under flood watches or warnings, with residents in eastern Texas and much of Arkansas also facing tornado watches.
On Wednesday, Wichita Falls, Texas, received about 2 inches of rain, while Lawton, Oklahoma, saw nearly 2.8 inches, both setting daily records. Earlier, severe weather in Pennsylvania had already resulted in four fatalities. In Skiatook, north of Oklahoma City, authorities utilized airboats to monitor rising floodwaters and prepare for potential rescues.
While the heaviest rain had moved out of southeastern Oklahoma by late Wednesday afternoon, flooding rivers were expected to remain a concern through Thursday. In the Dallas area, flood warnings were in effect, particularly for Rowlett Creek. Although rain is predicted to diminish by Thursday, the risks of thunderstorms are expected to shift to the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys.
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