Downpours from Tropical Depression Bill ‘spell bad news’ as it treks north
Drivers navigate a road closed due to high water after a morning of rain showers Wednesday in Irving, Texas. Authorities warned Wednesday that as Tropical Depression Bill moves northeast, already swollen rivers could overflow their banks and cause more problems for water-weary residents.
Tropical Depression Bill continues to weaken as it moves through North Texas and into Oklahoma, but its drenching rains are prompting flood and tornado warnings across of broad swath, including Arkansas.
Parts of Texas and Oklahoma will receive between two and four inches of rain, and some areas might see more than six, officials said. The fast-falling rain could overwhelm small creeks and rivers.
Flash flood warnings are in effect for parts of northern Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois over the next few days as storm continues it northern trek. Arkansas is also bracing for potential river flooding.
Some parts of Texas and Oklahoma simply can’t handle the additional rainfall because their reservoirs are full, said Krista Guthrie, deputy public information officer for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.
“There could be a resurgence of flooding in areas that have already seen too much rain,” Guthrie said.
But the storm appears to have largely spared northern Texas.
“There are a few power outages, but nothing severe,” said Sgt. Lonny Haschel of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Another danger looms over all three states as the storm has spawned tornado conditions.
Some areas of Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma and northern Texas could also see isolated tornadoes this evening, said Bill Bunting, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Tropical Depression Bill’s forceful winds change direction quickly, and that combined with the moisture and unstable atmospheric conditions create prime tornado conditions.
Even after the depression loses more of its power, it could still cause dangerous conditions farther north as it moves into Missouri and Illinois.
“On top of the wet spring, it will cause problems,” Bunting said. “These conditions together spell bad news,” Bunting said.
Twitter: @katemshepherd
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