Flash flooding in southwest Oklahoma has resulted in at least one death, prompting officials to advise the public to avoid roads as severe weather persists. The Lawton Police Department reported that emergency responders witnessed a vehicle driving into standing water, complicating rescue efforts. The identity of the victim, whose recovery involved a dive team, has not yet been disclosed. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt praised first responders for their water rescues and urged residents to exercise caution when driving through flood-prone areas.
As the situation evolved, Lawton officials noted that floodwaters began receding in some regions by Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, in Walters, the Cotton County Emergency Management urged residents in flood zones to evacuate, as they anticipated rising waters through midday Sunday. To aid residents, emergency management teams are working on securing more sand and sandbags.
Across the Southwest and Rockies, severe fire weather persisted, with wind gusts reaching 60 mph and low humidity affecting around 7 million people in states like Colorado and Texas. The severe weather threat expands from Montana to Texas over the weekend, with potential storms capable of producing winds up to 70 mph, large hail, and possibly tornadoes.
On Monday, an estimated 36 million people will be at risk from Texas to Michigan, including major cities like Minneapolis and Chicago. The strongest thunderstorms are expected late afternoon, with a heightened likelihood of tornadoes and severe wind gusts. While localized flash flooding is anticipated in the central U.S., this risk is projected to decrease by Tuesday as the storm system moves east, eventually impacting areas like New York and Cleveland, where scattered severe thunderstorms may occur.
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