Tulsa Motorists Warned About High Water Dangers

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- With the threat of enough rain to cause flooding Thursday, the City of Tulsa took new steps to warn drivers about flooded streets across the city.

Several sites have been marked by the city as a dangerous spots during a flash flood. These areas are especially dangerous for people who ignore the warning signs during heavy rain.

A flooded spot at the railroad underpass at the 1800 block of North Mingo was marked as a spot that floods According to the Tulsa Fire Department, driver went around barricades meant to stop traffic still get in trouble.

Firefighters rescued a woman who had done exactly that from a car that was almost submerged.

"Last time we had situations, a lot of people drove around the barricades, and lot of people went around firefighters that were stopped protecting these areas," said Bill French of the Tulsa Fire Department.

Bartlesville Flooding 10-8-09

"Some drove around fire trucks and firefighters waving their arms to not proceed, and of course they did and got stranded, and then we go from a warning situation to a rescue situation."

The city's most common trouble spots have new signs warning drivers of the potential for flooding. On North Lewis - the sign couldn't be more clear about the danger.

During the heavy rain two weeks ago, cars flooded out all over town - and the Tulsa Fire Department made 42 runs to help stranded drivers.

Underpasses frequently flood - and should always be approached with caution when it rains.

"When you're approaching one of those, immediately take caution because of the topography there, there may be a drainage system there, there may not be, but those are potentially very dangerous situations for people to drive into," said Tulsa Fire Department spokesman Bill French.

See the City of Tulsa's list of dangerous drives in heavy rains.