North Texas prepares for heavy rain, potential flooding after months of hot, dry weather
The CBS News Texas First Alert meteorologists are tracking large storms as they approach North Texas starting on Wednesday. Heavy rain and flooding are expected overnight Wednesday into Thursday, with rain continuing on and off through Friday.
Much of North Texas is expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, and certain areas could receive up to 6 inches. The rain presents a flooding threat after months of above-average temperatures and virtually no rainfall across the region.
The storm comes from the remnants of former Hurricane Polo as the storm crosses Mexico and enters the southwestern U.S. Millions of people from Arizona to Iowa could be at risk for flash floods.
Dallas Fire-Rescue preparations
Dallas Fire-Rescue is preparing to respond to potential flooding. Station 59 is one of the department's main stations responding to swift-water calls.
"The northwest part of town is one of the notorious ones, East Dallas, Old East Dallas, downtown, any of those," said Captain Timothy Baker. "The Turtle Creek area, obviously, we've had some notorious runs out there."
Baker said crews train year-round and keep a close eye on flood-prone areas, including the Trinity River floodplain, which is susceptible to runoff-driven flooding. During heavy rain, DFR tends to see several calls for people who drive into high water, as well as flooding at homeless encampments.
Flood-prone areas in North Texas
With the heavy rain on the way, here are some areas of North Texas that have flooded in past storms, which drivers may want to avoid on Thursday morning:
Dallas
- Northwest Highway near Harry Hines Boulevard
- Lawther Drive on the northwest corner of White Rock Lake
- East Dallas near Baylor University Medical Center
Fort Worth
- I-30 and Hulen Street
- West 7th Street entertainment district
Homecoming parade canceled
Lovejoy ISD in Collin County canceled its homecoming parade that was scheduled for Wednesday evening in the Heritage Ranch neighborhood in Fairview.
"We know how much our students, families, staff, and community look forward to this special Lovejoy tradition, and we share in the disappointment. However, the safety of our Lovejoy community must always come first," the district said in a social media post.
The district is working to reschedule to parade.