Widespread Flooding Causing Problems

Monday, May 7th 2007, 6:33 am

By: News On 6

Flooding proved to be a major headache for motorists Monday morning in the Tulsa area. Heavy rains overnight caused a number of flooding problems. Because of the rainfall, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for several eastern Oklahoma counties for much of Monday. A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent. Residents living along streams, creeks and drainage ditches should be ready to take immediate action if flooding is observed.

Click here to watch video from SKYNEWS 6 of flooding in Bixby and Broken Arrow.

Several Broken Arrow neighborhoods experienced flooding problems Monday morning. Broken Arrow Police closed a number of intersections because of flooding. The list included New Orleans from 9th Street to 23rd Street. 23rd Street from Washington to Houston. 101st and Garnett. 193rd at 35th Street. 9th and Waco. 9th and Delmar. Elm and Greeley. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority also closed the westbound off and on ramp at 71st Street along the Creek Turnpike due to high water. Those ramps have since reopened to traffic.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has closed U.S. Highway 60 west of Bartlesville after a temporary bridge over Buck Creek was washed away. The bridge is located 6 miles west of Bartlesville. The bridge was being used as a detour for a highway construction project.

In Tulsa, neighborhood streets in the northeast part of town experienced flooding problems early Monday. Other communities also had similar flood problems. The list included the communities of Jenks, Bixby, Owasso and Glenpool.

Rain fell at a rate of about one to two inches an hour early Monday. With that much rainfall, most creeks, streams and drainage ditches ran out of their banks. Because of the rainfall and flooding, authorities are urging motorists not to drive into areas where water covers the roadway. Police say as little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

The News On 6 WARN team says the threat of severe weather continues for the rest of Monday. That threat includes severe thunderstorms, localized flooding and possible tornadoes.