By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
Latest Weather Warnings: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hazards/?wfo=fwd
Electricity Outage Information: http://www.oncor.com/community/outages/#
DFW Traffic Closures: http://dfwtraffic.dot.state.tx.us/
A series of weak tornadoes spawned by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine are menacing the Dallas area, injuring at least one person. Tornado funnels have touched down just southeast, east and north of downtown Dallas. Only single funnels were observed touching down at any one time in Dallas.
The twister slammed a tractor-trailer rig into a brick paint warehouse near Dallas Love Field, toppling the building onto the cab. The driver was alert and gave at least one interview before being taken to a hospital.
Part of a warehouse roof nearby also collapsed. No other damage or injuries were reported.
A tornado also skipped across a mostly rural area from near the town of Ferris, about 15 miles south of Dallas, to near Seagoville, about 20 miles southeast of Dallas.
Dallas Watches Trinity River Flood Stage
Dallas has activated its Emergency Operations Center to monitor flood levels along the Trinity River.
Emergency Management Director Kenny Shaw says the river is expected to crest tomorrow morning at 41 or 42 feet, and that could mean some flooding.
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Shaw: We've asked the Parks Department and the Red Cross to set up a shelter at Kidd Springs in case we do get some flooding overnight or in the morning. And we'll have police out driving the areas like Cadillac Heights that normally floods.
Shaw says the National Weather Service had predicted a crest of more than 48 feet, which would make it the second highest level ever. He says the revised level greatly lessens the threat of flooding.
Gov. Rick Perry is activating military personnel and rescue teams. He announced the activations after heavy rains prompted evacuations across central and North Texas.
Gov. Rick Perry activates rescue teams
In a statement issued by his office, Perry urged "all Texans to realize the dangers of crossing flooded roadways and respect the barricades put in place by officials to protect Texans lives."
At least two people died from flooding in central and north Texas.
Cleburne's fire chief tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that a man drowned this afternoon after being swept away from firefighters who were trying to rescue him from a flooded creek north of Alvarado in Johnson County. The man had been stranded in his pickup truck.
The National Weather Service has reported that at least one person died in a vehicle submerged by water in Killeen, north of Austin.
Vale Lopez with the Texas Department of Transportation advises extreme caution when approaching flooded roadways.
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Vale: We'd strongly advise that motorists do not drive through high water areas, to take alternate routes if possible. Basically a car can be swept away in as little of 6 inches of water.
Flood Damage in Arlington
Arlington was hit hard by flooding as the remnants of Hurricane Hermine drenched North Texas.
The Willows at Shady Valley Apartments in southeast Arlington had to be evacuated. Arlington firefighters rescued 30 people were rescued by "ladder", 10 by boat, and walked more than 50 people out of high water in the complex. Levels reached 8 feet in some apartments. 25 homes on the other side of Rush Creek were also affected.
Anita Foster, with the Red Cross, says flooding is one of the most difficult disasters to deal with.
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Foster: Water creates a compound disaster because not only do you have the damage, you've got to get your carpet out right away, your sheetrock out of your house right away or you deal with health issues from mold and mildew.
Foster says it's extremely stressful and most people don't have flood insurance. The Red Cross is helping with temporary shelter for those evacuated.