UPDATE: Flood warning for Dallas County until 2:20 a.m. Thursday, according to the NWS

Star-Telegram Bot
·3 min read

On Tuesday at 9:02 p.m. an updated flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until Thursday at 2:20 a.m.

Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast for Trinity River at Dallas until early Thursday morning.

"At 35.0 feet, Some low water crossings inundated with cattle and grazing and low water areas under water," describes the NWS. "Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks."

This warning is in effect until Thursday at 2:20 a.m.

Recommendations from the NWS for staying safe during a flood

If you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances. Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, get out. Stay out of water that may have electricity in it. Don’t walk through flood waters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.

During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, according to the NWS.

What steps to follow when driving in the rain?

• Switch on headlights — Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.

• While on the road — Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground. Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.

• Steer clear of puddles — Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.

• Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles — Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.

• Avoid flooded areas — When encountering a flooded road, do a U-turn and head back. The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The three main causes of hydroplaning are:

1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.

2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.

3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:

• Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.

• Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.

• Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.

• Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.

Source: The National Weather Service

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Jasper National Park engulfed in flames: Shocking before and after photos show famous Maligne Lodge burning as Alberta wildfire spreads

    Canadians are sharing before and after images of Maligne Lodge at Jasper National Park in Alberta after wildfires engulfed the region.

  • Terrifying NASA Video Shows America Spewing CO2 Into Atmosphere

    Trapped Gases NASA has released a new visualization that shows copious amounts of carbon dioxide swirling around the Earth's atmosphere. The video shows how concentrations of the gas move across the planet, driven by wind and atmospheric circulation, from January through March 2020. The level of detail is truly astonishing, allowing us to "zoom in […]

  • 'Monster' fires may have destroyed half of historic Canadian town

    The blazes are still out of control as firefighters try to save as many buildings as possible.

  • Severe storms return to Ontario, Quebec with more rain and a tornado risk

    Severe thunderstorm threat returns to parts of Ontario and Quebec through Wednesday, with heavy rain, strong winds, and a tornado risk all on the table. Stay alert to the changing conditions

  • How roads are reshaping and scarring our planet, and even changing animals’ DNA

    ‘Road ecology’ is the focus of Crossings, a powerful new book by environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb.

  • Man punches grizzly in face during bear attack in northern B.C.

    A B.C. cyclist is recovering after a run-in with a grizzly and two cubs that ended with the bear getting punched in the face. According to conservation officer Matthew Corbett, a man was riding his bike along a forested trail next to Anderson Flats Provincial Park in northwest B.C. when he surprised a female grizzly and her two cubs in a clearing. "The bear just immediately charged him, knocked him down," Corbett said. But the man put his bike between himself and the bear, which prevented him fr

  • Jasper wildfire: Firefighters face dangerous escalation

    With a massive wildfire burning through Jasper National Park, firefighters from around the world and the Canadian Armed Forces are on their way to try to save as much of the park and townsite as possible. Neetu Garcha looks at what emergency crews on the frontlines are facing.

  • Tornado strikes a major Canadian metro area on Wednesday

    Several confirmed tornadoes hit Ontario and Quebec during severe thunderstorms on Wednesday

  • I Have Driven Over 250 Car Models: These Are the 3 Best and Worst for Your Money

    With so many models and options on the market, choosing the right car for your money isn't easy. The wrong choice leaves you trapped in a money pit, draining your finances with repair costs, poor gas...

  • How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths

    A new study links the vulture decline in India to deadly bacteria spread, causing about 500,000 deaths.

  • Ferry operator's ban on recalled EVs highlights need for more safety rules, experts say

    A decision by an Ontario ferry operator to ban recalled Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrids from its boats has highlighted the potential fire risk posed by electric vehicles — and some experts say governments and businesses need to do more to establish safety standards for their use and storage.The risk of EV fires appears to be low, and vehicle makers have been responsive to the problems that have emerged, said George Iny, the president of the Automobile Protection Association.But EV fires, when

  • Wood pellets boom in the U.S. raises health and environmental concerns

    Wood pellet production skyrocketed across the U.S. South to feed the European Union’s recent push for renewable energy but residents near manufacturing plants -- often those in poor, rural swaths -- believe the process is making people sick. (AP video by Stephen Smith)

  • MS Coast watches the tropics as Saharan dust clears, door opens for hurricane activity

    The Saharan dust that tamped down tropical disturbances is settling. What could happen in August?

  • Scientists found a groundbreaking new reason to plant more trees

    Microbes living in tree bark are absorbing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere on a massive scale, a study found.

  • Wood pellets production boomed to feed EU demand. It's come at a cost for Black people in the South

    GLOSTER, Miss. (AP) — This southern Mississippi town's expansive wood pellet plant was so close to Shelia Mae Dobbins' home that she sometimes heard company loudspeakers. She says industrial residues coated her truck and she no longer enjoys spending time in the air outdoors.

  • Alberta premier holds back tears as wildfire rages

    STORY: DANIELLE SMITH: “To those in Alberta and around the world who have experienced the magic of Jasper... The magic is not lost and it never will be.” Alberta premier Danielle Smith choked back tears at a news conference Thursday as she described the impact of a raging wildfire that has devastated the western Canadian tourist town of Jasper."We're seeing potentially 30 to 50% structural damage… We don't know particularly which structures have been damaged and which ones have been destroyed. But that's going to be a significant rebuild and significant displacement for a long period of time."Jasper is in the middle of mountainous Jasper National Park, in the province of Alberta. The town and the park, which draw more than 2 million tourists a year, were evacuated on Monday, when officials estimated there were up to 10,000 people in the town and an additional 15,000 visitors in the park.One major concern for responders is if the fire damages the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which carries hundreds of thousands of barrels per day of oil from Edmonton to Vancouver.Alberta Wildfire Information Unit Manager Christie Tucker: "There are 176 wildfires burning in the forest protection area of Alberta, 54 of those are out of control, 50 are being held and 69 are under control...”According to Parks Canada, the Jasper fire was caused by a lightning strike on Monday afternoon and fueled by strong winds.Environment Canada is forecasting rain for Thursday, which might help firefighters.The Jasper fire could be one of the most damaging in Alberta since a 2016 blaze that hit the oil town of Fort McMurray, forcing the evacuation of all 90,000 residents and destroying 10% of all structures in the city.

  • Tornado watch issued for northwest Ontario on Friday evening

    A tornado watch is in effect for northwestern Ontario on Friday evening

  • Cyclist dead after Yorkville collision with dump truck driver

    A cyclist is dead after she was struck by a dump truck driver in Yorkville Thursday morning, Toronto police say.The crash happened around 8:48 a.m. in the area of Bloor Street W. and Avenue Road, Acting Duty Insp. Jason Bartlett told reporters at the scene.The cyclist was going west in the Bloor bike lane when she exited the lane and continued on in the same direction, he said."At that same time, a dump truck that was also travelling westbound struck that cyclist and they were pronounced decease

  • Tropical Storm Bud forms in the Eastern Pacific, off the coast of Mexico

    MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Bud has formed in the Eastern Pacific off the coast of Mexico.

  • Last week's CrowdStrike outage was bad. The sun has something worse planned.

    In what some have dubbed an "internet apocalypse," activity originating on the sun's surface could cause a massive communications outage on Earth.