1 person dead after car floods under I-635 bridge in Dallas
One person is dead after being trapped in a flooded car in Dallas.
Dallas Fire-Rescue said crews responded to a 911 call just after midnight after someone reported their vehicle was stuck in high water under the I-635 bridge at Park Central Drive.
DFR said two vehicles were submerged due to rapidly rising water levels. One of the vehicles was completely submerged.
Two people were able to get out of one of the vehicles with the help of Dallas police, according to DFR.
DFR said its swift water rescue team launched two boats into the water in an attempt to rescue the person in the second vehicle. Due to the rapid current, one of the boats capsized, throwing first responders into the water. Those first responders were able to ride the current to an area where they were able to stand.
The second boat also attempted to get to the vehicle but wasn't able to due to the strong current. DFR said first responders decided to wait for the water to recede before continuing the rescue.
Once DFR was able to search the second vehicle, crews said they found a man trapped inside, who died at the scene.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Spokesperson Jason Evans believes the current may have swept the victim's vehicle under the bridge.
"Based on the way the current was flowing, according to people I've spoken with, when he drove in the current, it carried him underneath the bridge and pinned him up against one of the concrete pillars of the bridge," Evans said.
Flooding underneath the Park Central Drive and I-635 bridge is something Yana Reynolds said she sees quite often.
"The road gets blocked by debris and trees falling down, but they do have it blocked after a big, heavy storm for at least 2 to 3 days," Reynolds said.
Reynolds works just blocks from the intersection and often sees tree limbs and debris under the bridge.
"It's really surprising that they don't have a drainage system that's a little bit better than what it currently is," Reynolds said.
Evans encourages drivers to find another route if the road they're on floods and to be extra attentive during stormy weather.
"Whenever you see high water in front of you, listen to the old adage, 'Turn around, don't drown.' There's nothing more important than your life," Evans said.
There are warning signs and lights in the area. The Dallas City Spokesperson sent CBS News Texas the following statement:
"The flood warning system at 12900 Park Central consists of warning lights but not gates. When emergency crews responded the scene Wednesday morning, the warning system was operating, and the lights were active. This section of White Rock Creek floods during heavy rains. The area has been evaluated for gates previously and they were not recommended due to a number of challenges. When there are requests by first responders for temporary barricades, crews from Dallas Water Utilities and Transportation and Public Works will respond."
Dallas police are investigating the drowning as an accidental death. The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office has not released the name of the victim.
Several inches of rain reported after storms in Dallas
There were several reports of roads closed due to flooding around Rowlett, Plano, Garland and Sachse. CBS News Texas meteorologist Brittany Rainey said the flooding was a result of high rainfall from the slow-moving storms.
As of 4 a.m., 3.33" of rain was reported in Dallas. It's unclear how deep the water was at the scene of the submerged vehicles.
