Millions of Americans are under flood warnings after heavy rain this weekend in a large portion of the south-western US.
Government meteorologists issued flood warnings for more than 13 million people after torrent rainfall created life-threatening conditions in a region including north-east Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico.
The National Weather Service extended a flash flood warning for several communities in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, cautioning that weekend thunderstorms could set the stage for severe flooding as more rain is anticipated, reported the Washington Post.
As of Sunday, an estimated three to five inches of rain had already fallen along the Oklahoma-Texas border. Forecasters expect more rain through Monday, with some areas facing an additional five to eight inches, reported CNN.
In Dallas, which was included in a flash flood warning alert, flooding trapped several vehicles early Monday morning on an interstate in the city’s downtown area.
“I was able to back up on a ramp to get off the highway,” Cassondra Anna Mae Stewart said to CNN of her experience. “I took an alternate route home … although most streets are flooded down there as well.”
Arizona and New Mexico were also affected by flood warnings, with more than 10 million people under flood watches as of Saturday night, reports ABC News.
Monsoons in Arizona flooded roads in the state’s East Valley region, creating hazardous driving conditions, reported CBS 5, an Arizona news affiliate.
The storms also took down power lines in the area and closed several schools on Friday.
Rain in New Mexico flooded two major roads in the state’s south-eastern area. Police in the city of Dexter rescued one local man who was stranded on the roof of his car after flood waters swept his vehicle off the road, reported KRQE, a local news affiliate.
Severe flooding also trapped about 200 people in the Carlsbad Caverns national park in south-eastern New Mexico on Saturday night.
The downpour left visitors stranded at the park for several hours until local first responders could intervene, reported KOAT, an ABC news affiliate.
In several areas, much of this weekend’s rainfall and subsequent flooding comes after severe drought. Many of the affected areas have limited protection against flooding caused by rainfall.
Prior to rain on 9 August, Dallas had gone 67 days with no rainfall, according to the Washington Post.
Western states, including Arizona, are currently dealing with droughts that threaten the water supply in the Colorado river, one of the state’s largest reservoirs.
