Flash Flooding Strands Tulsa Area Motorists

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Much of northeastern Oklahoma is hoping it can dry out Tuesday and Wednesday, thanks to Monday's heavy rains. 

In Tulsa, we set a record for Monday's storms, with 4.42 inches of rainfall. The old record was 3.5 inches set in 1902.

Early Tuesday morning, the Tulsa Fire Department had to rescue a woman stranded on the top of her car in the 1900 block of North Mingo.

Tulsa firefighters think she drove her car around a barrier and right into the high water. After she called 911 for help, Tulsa firefighters were able to get her to safety.

That wasn't the only area flooded in Tulsa late Monday and early Tuesday. Motorists were having trouble near 31st and Sheridan as high water closed several streets and those who drove into high water found that water seeping into their vehicles.

One man tried to push his way out of trouble when his car stalled, but couldn't get it out.
Someone jumped out of their car to help him and he was able to get off the road.

9/21/2009 Related story: Severe Weather Moves Through NE Oklahoma

In Broken Arrow, it was the same scene early Tuesday.

The intersection near 101st and Garnett became a big problem for motorists as high water stranded several vehicles.

The Red Cross put a family of seven up in a hotel in Claremore because of the flooding and also had to help a Tulsa family, after their apartment flooded late Monday.

News On 6 meteorologist Alan Crone says while northeast Oklahoma will see a few passing showers Tuesday, most of the heavy rains have moved east.

Crone says the sun will break through west of Tulsa Tuesday afternoon. The sun will help dry things out Wednesday, but Crone says more clouds will move in Wednesday afternoon and evening.

In an unrelated note, Haskell Schools are closed Monday.  The school district tells The News On 6, they are without power and water and as a result, classes have been canceled for Tuesday.