One person is dead after a car flipped into Five Mile Creek west of downtown Dallas around 7 p.m. Friday, according to Dallas police.
Severe thunderstorms came through the area unleashing downpours that caused widespread flash flooding.
NBC affiliate KXAS-TV reports there were two people inside the car when they were involved in a crash, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue. The car landed upside down in the creek. Both people were injured; it’s unclear if it was the driver or the passenger who died.
The national Storm Prediction Center said more than 18 million people in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma were at an enhanced risk of storms Friday, including from strong tornadoes, flooding rains and wind gusts that could reach the speed of a Category 1 hurricane. The area included several major Texas cities including Dallas, Houston and Austin.
Ahead of the storms, Dallas’ Office of Emergency Management asked residents to bring in pets, outdoor furniture, grills, “and anything else that could be caught up in high winds to reduce the risk of flying debris.”
With the potential for severe weather in the forecast today, we encourage all residents & businesses to bring in pets, plants, and small items that might be a hazard in high winds.
— City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management (@DallasOEM) January 10, 2020
1/3@CityOfDallas @DallasPD @DallasFireRes_q
Tornado watches Friday night covered parts of eastern Texas, northwestern Louisiana, southern Missouri and much of Arkansas.
Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said boats, helicopters, medical and rescue teams had been placed on standby in case they are needed.
“I ask that all Texans keep those in the storm’s path and all of Texas’ first responders in their prayers as they deal with the effects of this storm,” Abbott said in a statement.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect just north and west of the DFW area this morning. A dusting is possible in DFW. 1-3" inches of snow and/or sleet expected in shaded areas. Some slushy or icy spots are expected...so take it slow & allow extra time! #dfwwx #texomawx #abilene pic.twitter.com/Uk3bAT9985
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 11, 2020
A cold front moved into North Texas after the storm, putting a winter weather advisory into effect just north and west of Dallas-Fort Worth Saturday morning. According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Metroplex could see 1-3 inches of snow and or sleet in shaded areas and patches of ice on roadways.
Snow falling in Denton ❄️ pic.twitter.com/qUYr7bZ5ph
— City of Denton, TX (@cityofdentontx) January 11, 2020