Dallas-Fort Worth Area Sets 70-Year Rainfall Record

The Dallas-Fort Worth area set a 70-year daily rainfall record, as thunderstorms and precipitation hammered the area on Thursday.

2.4 inches of rain were measured at the DFW airport, smashing the previous record of just 1.12 inches in a single day. That record was set all the way back 1946. Some areas in Dallas-Fort Worth were warned about potential flooding in Richardson, University Park and White Rock Lake.

43% of flights leaving DFW airport on Thursday were delayed due to the intense, and record-breaking storms. The storms are expected to continue into Friday. The Dallas Morning News reports,

A daily rainfall record not seen in 70 years was broken Thursday in Dallas-Fort Worth as rounds of rain and thunderstorms moved across the area.

As of 8:20 p.m., about 2.4 inches of rain were recorded at DFW International Airport, said Daniel Huckaby, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s office in Fort Worth. The previous record was 1.12 inches in 1947.

“We smashed that total,” Huckaby said.

Chances for strong to severe thunderstorms were in place for North Texas between Wednesday night through Friday, the weather service said. Parts of Dallas County are under a flood warning as rainfall persists.

Dallas Morning News

Authorities have warned drivers in the area that there is an increased chance of hydroplaning during these storms. There have been several weather-related crashes already. The storms also brought intense lightning.

See video of some of those lightning strikes below,

Experts urge drivers to ease on the gas pedal if their vehicle begins to hydroplane, as the phenomenon usually only lasts for a few seconds. It is not recommended that you use your breaks, or try to steer out of it.

Keep watch for flash flooding, and never, ever, drive your car into standing water. In addition to destroying the mechanical parts of your car (if the water is deep enough), cars often become stuck in standing water, endangering the vehicle’s passengers.