Deadly Floods Hit Oklahoma, Pennsylvania Storm Kills Three \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Severe storms and flooding hit Oklahoma and Texas, leaving at least two dead. In Pennsylvania, hurricane-force winds and storms knocked out power and killed three. Dangerous weather patterns continue threatening the south-central U.S. through Thursday.
Quick Looks
- Two drownings reported in Oklahoma due to floodwaters.
- Roads closed, flights canceled across Oklahoma and Texas.
- Pennsylvania storm kills three, leaves massive power outages.
- Over 425,000 without power in Pennsylvania alone.
- 11.94 inches of April rainfall set Oklahoma City record.
- Straight-line winds up to 90 mph reported in Pittsburgh area.
Deep Look
A powerful wave of severe weather swept across multiple U.S. states this week, leaving a trail of destruction from Oklahoma and Texas to Pennsylvania. At least five people have died—two in Oklahoma due to flash flooding, and three in Pennsylvania as a result of storm-related incidents—while widespread damage, power outages, and transportation disruptions continue to impact affected communities.
Oklahoma and Texas: Flooding Turns Deadly
In Oklahoma, torrential rainfall from slow-moving thunderstorms triggered life-threatening flash floods, leading to the drowning deaths of two individuals and prompting numerous rescues. The storms dumped inches of rain across the southern and central parts of the state, overwhelming drainage systems and submerging highways.
In Pottawatomie County, Sheriff Freeland Wood confirmed that a man died after floodwaters swept his vehicle off a roadway. A sheriff’s deputy who attempted a rescue was also caught in the surge but survived and was later treated at a hospital. Nearly three dozen roadways in the county were closed as rivers and streams overflowed.
A second drowning occurred in Lincoln County, northwest of the town of Prague. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a vehicle was trapped by rising waters along a highway, and despite efforts to save the occupant, the individual died at the scene. Emergency responders rescued multiple stranded drivers across the state, underscoring the scale and suddenness of the flooding.
The city of Lexington saw localized evacuations as floodwaters began entering homes, forcing families to flee. Across Oklahoma, infrastructure struggled under the deluge, with streets collapsing, culverts washing out, and emergency shelters activated in several counties.
In Oklahoma City, the National Weather Service confirmed that the city had set a new rainfall record for April, with a staggering 11.94 inches of precipitation—exceeding the previous mark of 11.91 inches set in 1947. State climatologist Gary McManus noted that the entire state was on pace to break the all-time statewide April average of 8.32 inches, set in 1942. Such rainfall not only endangers lives but also raises the risk of long-term soil saturation, potential landslides, and continued flash flooding through early May.
Northern Texas was also hit hard. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area endured hours of intense rain and lightning, leading to dangerous travel conditions and the grounding of air traffic. Departures were temporarily halted at Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FlightAware reported that over 500 flights were canceled at DFW, with dozens more delayed at Love Field, affecting travel nationwide.
Pennsylvania: Windstorm Devastates Region and Claims Lives
On the opposite side of the country, residents of Pennsylvania were reeling from a violent line of thunderstorms that struck Tuesday night. With wind gusts rivaling those of lower-end tornadoes, the storm caused widespread damage and left over 425,000 customers without electricity—primarily in western and central Pennsylvania.
Duquesne Light, a Pittsburgh-based utility, described the impact as “unprecedented,” with more than 250,000 of its customers losing service due to fallen trees, downed power lines, and broken utility poles. The company warned that full restoration might take up to a week and called in mutual aid from other states to expedite repairs.
Tragically, the storm claimed three lives. In State College, a 22-year-old man was electrocuted while trying to extinguish a fire near a utility pole during the storm. Authorities believe the mulch fire was sparked by downed electrical lines.
In Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes neighborhood, another victim died after coming into contact with live wires during cleanup efforts. Emergency services issued urgent warnings to residents to avoid downed trees and power lines, many of which remained energized.
A third fatality occurred in Ross Township, just outside Pittsburgh, where a 67-year-old man was struck and killed by a tree that fell onto a home during the storm’s peak winds.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pittsburgh reported that wind gusts reached 80 to 90 mph in some areas—stronger than many EF0 and EF1 tornadoes. These straight-line winds were part of a bow echo—a storm formation that produces a bow-shaped radar signature and often results in extreme winds at its apex.
Pittsburgh International Airport recorded a gust of 71 mph, making it the third-strongest wind event in the city’s modern history. Meteorologist Liana Lupo from the NWS said teams investigated wind damage in Wilkinsburg, but no conclusive tornado touchdown was found as of Wednesday evening.
The storm left behind mangled infrastructure, uprooted trees, crushed vehicles, and blocked roads. Several schools canceled classes, and emergency shelters opened across Allegheny County for displaced residents.
Weather Outlook: More Threats on the Horizon
The National Weather Service has warned that the storm system affecting the south-central U.S. is not yet over. Through early Thursday, regions from Oklahoma to Arkansas and Missouri face continued threats of flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, and even isolated tornadoes.
Climate experts point out that these types of slow-moving, high-precipitation systems are becoming more frequent, possibly linked to broader shifts in atmospheric patterns caused by climate change. While it’s too soon to draw a direct causal connection to this week’s events, the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms are a growing concern for emergency planners and communities alike.
As the U.S. braces for more storms in the coming days, state and local authorities urge residents to stay informed, avoid driving through floodwaters, and report hazards like downed power lines or unstable trees. Communities across the Midwest and Northeast now face the dual challenge of immediate cleanup and preparing for the next wave of extreme weather.
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