Public safety officials warned drivers to use caution on North Texas roads after storms early Tuesday caused flash flooding, downed trees and power outages.
Drivers in Dallas and Carrollton were affected by downed power lines, trees, outdated traffic lights and flash flooding after the storm moved through Dallas-Fort Worth just after 5 a.m. Tuesday.
A Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman said drivers can expect delays due to accidents, downed power lines, debris and areas of high water following the storm.
Downed tree branches and flooding caused power outages and dangerous road conditions in Denton, where the area was not as affected by the storm as other parts of North Texas, according to Denton Fire Department Battalion Chief David Boots, but public safety officials urged drivers to use caution.
“There are many downed trees and branches littering the roads, overturned trash cans and rising water levels in many areas,” the fire department posted on X just before 8 a.m. Tuesday. “City crews are working to clear roads and remove snow. More rain is expected.”
Arlington officials temporarily closed several roads in several areas Tuesday morning due to downed power lines, but major roads in the city were not affected, according to Arlington Police Department spokesman Tim Cieszko. The department responded to six serious accidents since about 6 a.m. Tuesday, most of which were along major roads in the area.
Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kenna Mitchell said despite localized flash flooding, freeways in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were open and no major dangers were reported as of 9 a.m. Tuesday. Crews were clearing drainage ditches and would continue to work as the rains continued.
Police are urging drivers to remain vigilant.
“Any time we have severe weather, we have to treat all areas with caution because unexpected things can happen, so if you’re traveling during this type of weather, please exercise caution,” Mitchell said.
A spokesman for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority said its rail system was affected by power outages and tree branches that had fallen across the tracks. Passengers experienced delays Tuesday morning due to issues related to the weather.
A Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman said Dallas residents should stay off the roads unless they need to use them during the storm.
A spokesman said most people would realise by the time it was too late that the water was too high to drive, and urged drivers to “turn back to avoid drowning”.
It only takes a tiny bit of water to cause hydroplaning, so fire departments recommend increasing your following distance and slowing down.
