One person has tragically lost their life due to severe weather that swept across parts of the central United States. The storms brought heavy rain to Dallas, a tornado in the Kansas City area, and flash flooding in Kansas, prompting multiple rescue efforts.
On Wednesday, a man in Dallas died after his car became trapped in high water. His vehicle was one of two that were submerged under a bridge on Interstate 635. Emergency responders managed to rescue one driver, but the body of the other driver was later recovered by the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department.
In south-central Kansas, particularly around Wichita, firefighters conducted approximately 70 water rescues as flash flooding overwhelmed the area. Local meteorologist Robb Lawson reported that rainfall amounts varied widely, with some regions receiving between 1.5 to 7 inches since Monday. Authorities warned drivers against attempting to drive through flooded areas and urged them to heed barricades.
The Wichita Fire Department utilized boats to rescue motorists stranded in their vehicles. Fire Captain Lance Diffenbaugh expressed frustration over the risks involved in these rescues, noting that many people still tried to drive through dangerously high water, which sometimes reached their windshields.
Further east, the Walnut River overflowed due to the heavy rains, flooding several streets in El Dorado. Residents were forced to evacuate as the water levels rose rapidly. One resident, Michelle Yerge, described the situation as chaotic, saying that by the time they gathered their belongings, the water was already waist-deep.
In response to the severe weather, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a disaster emergency to facilitate state assistance. The storms also impacted the Kansas City area, where high winds caused damage, including toppling a tractor-trailer and downing trees. A tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Independence, Missouri, prompting further investigations by the weather service.
While the forecast for Wednesday in Kansas called for clearer skies, more storms are expected on Thursday. Officials cautioned that the saturated ground could lead to more flooding with just a small amount of additional rain.
As the region continues to recover from this severe weather, local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and to prioritize safety during future storms.