Violent DFW storms keep area fire crews busy. Multiple fires and water rescues

|

Waves of violent, fast-moving storms that plowed through North Texas late Wednesday left shaken residents assessing damaged roofs, burned-out buildings and flooded streets early this morning, even as another round of storms pounded some areas.

And we might see another round tonight. About 145,000 people remained without power as of 8 a.m., down from more than a quarter-million on Wednesday evening. The storms had dumped 2.81 inches of rain on Dallas-Fort Worth Airport through 10 a.m. today.

Tarrant and Parker counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 11:30 a.m and a flash flood warning until 1 p.m. The weather service said another 1 to 2 inches of rain were possible.

The weather also created havoc with the morning commute, as high water and dark traffic lights complicated the drive, although no major accidents were reported.
___________________________________________________________________

A dramatic rescue of a person stranded on top of their car on Military Parkway near Lawnview in southeast Dallas took place Thursday morning, as storms continued to pound the area.

The person – an adult – had climbed on top of their vehicle to escape the swirling waters which made the street resemble a creek or river.

Rescue crews used a boat to reach the person and plucked them off the top of the vehicle.
___________________________________________________________________

Forecasters are predicting that the thunderstorms will be here until midday. Meteorologist Jesse Moore said they are packing heavy rain, some hail, high winds and lightning. “We should get a break this afternoon and then we could see storms again tonight,” he said.

More rain was moving into Tarrant about 10:30 p.m. “Heavy rain,” the Hurst Fire Department reported on Twitter.

For more than an hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, strong wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph and hail were reported in northern Tarrant and southern Denton counties, and emergency warning sirens wailed as the storm system moved rapidly east.

A storm tracker spotted a possible tornado moving east about 40 mph near Trophy Club about 7 p.m., said Jason Dunn, a meteorologist with the weather service. Storm spotters and Doppler radar later observed a tornado near Plano, he said. Reports of downed trees and damaged roofs were coming in from across the area.

There were no immediate reports of major injuries, although a 12-year-old girl was rescued from a rushing creek in Garland and a Sansom Park police cruiser with two officers inside was struck by lightning.

_____________________________________
Girl Stranded In Raging Creek Saved By Garland High Water Rescue Team

The rain and a rushing creek nearly killed a child in Garland last night. Children were playing in Duck Creek as the water raced out of control and it almost ended in tragedy for a 12-year-old who was playing around with two friends even though the creek was nothing but white water. Two of the girls made it to shore safely but their friend was stranded, clinging to a rock in the middle of the churning water. The force of the rising water nearly knocked her down a few times. But Garland Fire Department spokesman Merrill Ballanciere says their high-water rescue team jumped into action and floated the girl to safety on a raft. She was cold and very frightened but generally okay.
From KRLD
______________________________________________________________________

In Trophy Club, city workers were out in force this morning, removing storm debris and large, downed trees that were blocking streets and driveways. Lisa Hennek, Trophy Club’s public information officer, said a town resident was organizing a group of school kids to help with the cleanup.

Hennek said at least two houses under construction were damaged or destroyed and at least one other had caught fire. She said furniture and umbrellas at the community pool were also damaged.

Henneck said the Town is offering disposal sights for storm debris at Harmony Park, Independence Park and the Church at Trophy Lakes. The town will also be providing curb-side collection Thursday and Friday for residents unable to dispose of the debris at centralized sites.

Fires blamed on lightning: Fort Worth fire dispatchers fielded seven reports of fires Wednesday night that callers attributed to lightning strikes, Lt. Kent Worley said this morning that only two structures — a commercial building in the 1100 block of North Sylvania and a home in the 10300 block of Vintage Drive — received major fire damage.

Worley said Fort Worth firefighters responded to 11 high-water rescue calls through this morning, most of which were resolved within minutes. None, he said, resulted in injuries.

Worley said a large house fire that Fort Worth firefighters helped battle on Park Drive, located east of Boat Club Road and north of West Bailey-Boswell Road, is actually located in incorporated Tarrant County.

In Euless, high winds damaged two apartment complexes. About two dozen people were displaced at Saddle Creek Apartments in the 300 block of Industrial Boulevard and the Bear Creek Apartment complex in the 600 block of Del Paso Street, said Emily Getzschman, an American Red Cross spokeswoman.

In Arlington, a two alarm fire at the Chatham Creek Apartments in the 2500 block of Thomason Circle displaced eight people, Getzschman said.

Red Cross workers met with the displaced families and individuals to make sure that they had places to stay the night and that their needs were met, Getzschman said.

In Heath, a community near Lake Ray Hubbard, a house was completely consumed by fire, which may have been caused by lightning.

High winds create havoc: The Eagle Mountain Marina in the 6500 block of Wells Burnett Road in northwest Tarrant County was heavily damaged, according to Robert Ayala, who said he stopped by the marina to check on a boat for a friend who was out of town.

“The people at the marina said the high winds just blew everything into each other,” Ayala said. “The amount of structural damage is amazing.”

Oncor has called in 550 additional contract line crew members, 1,100 additional tree-trimming crew members, a 60-person storm team from Oklahoma Gas & Electric and a 60-person team from CenterPoint, based out of Houston to assist with repairs.

Contractors were expected to arrive throughout the morning from Austin, Houston and from as far away as Alabama, Missouri and Louisiana.

Rangers, airport disrupted: Some flights arriving at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport were delayed more than two hours by the storms Wednesday night, and more delays were reported midmorning. Passengers should check their flight status here.

The Texas Rangers game against the Toronto Blue Jays was canceled after about two hours. Most fans at the game took cover under stadium overhangs or in concession areas along the lower level. The rain was so heavy that the center field fence wasn’t visible from the press box.

By MITCH MITCHELL – Star Telegram

Staff writers Deanna Boyd, Melody McDonald, Domingo Ramirez Jr. and Jeff Wilson contributed to this report, which includes material from The Associated Press.

_________________________________________________________________________
Storm snaps chimneys, rips roof off apartments

First responders were stretched thin in North Texas Wednesday night.

Residents of the Villas at Waterchase apartment complex felt the fury of this late spring storm. At least four chimneys snapped off roofs on several buildings in the complex. A brick wall crumpled on Building 19 and the roof above it peeled back, exposing second floor apartment homes.

In Grapevine, the driver of a UPS tractor trailer pulled off on the shoulder of Highway 121 to wait out the passing storm. But, within seconds, strong crosswinds tipped the rig over on an embankment.

The UPS driver was okay after his truck overturned.

Grapevine police said the uniformed driver climbed out through the windshield.

In Flower Mound, strong winds snapped utility poles, cutting electricity to nearby neighborhoods and traffic signals

By JASON WHITELY / WFAA-TV