No relief expected from Texas, Oklahoma rain

On Wednesday, the downpour and winds were so treacherous that helicopters were forced to halt efforts to rescue people from rooftops. Neighboring states were sending in relief crews, Gray reported from Dallas.

The storm was generating gale-force winds in western Texas. In Seminole, 90-mph winds toppled a 320-foot radio tower Tuesday night, destroying a church, while the roof of a Bealls department store also caved in, NBC affiliate KCBD reported. Winds continued gusting near 30 mph Thursday in Lubbock.

Dozens of people stranded
Flood warnings stretched from the Gulf of Mexico north through most of Oklahoma and into Missouri. In Oklahoma, the Red River was expected to crest at least 5 feet above flood stage Thursday afternoon, and officials told NBC affiliate KTEN of Ada that if the rains continued into next week, Interstate 35 could be shut down.

Across both states, a secondary fear was tornadoes whipped up by the storm system.

Six tornadoes were reported Wednesday night in Orienta, in western Oklahoma, and at least four were spotted in 15 minutes in Major County, NBC affiliate KFOR of Oklahoma City reported. No major structures were damaged.

No new deaths had been reported Thursday, but the extended heavy rain left dozens of people stranded on rooftops and in cars and trees.

Phillip Schwartz’ car was engulfed in water late Wednesday in East Tulsa, Okla. He was rescued only after he called the fire department on his cell phone, NBC affiliate KJRH reported.

“It was dark, and you couldn’t even see nothing. It all happened so fast,” Schwartz said.

Rain damage in Ada, Okla., was overtaking efforts to keep streets open, city spokesman Mike Bratcher told NBC affiliate KTEN.

“Those patches aren’t holding because another heavy rain comes in right when we’re finished and washes it back out,” he said.

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