Severe storms pummeled North Texas on Wednesday night, bringing heavy rain and lightning to the area.
Residents assessed damage Thursday morning after the storms dumped record rainfall across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, collapsing roofs, flooding highways, and prompting high-water rescues.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport recorded 1.55 inches of rain on March 4, breaking the previous daily record of 1.27 inches set in 1937, according to the National Weather Service. Neighboring Mesquite and Seagoville saw 4 to 8 inches.
In Garland, heavy rain caused a commercial building roof to collapse in the 2900 block of Kingsley Road around 5 p.m. Wednesday. Water buildup reportedly led to the failure, but seven workers inside evacuated safely without injury.
Flash flooding hit northbound I-45 near East Palestine Street in Hutchins, where witnesses described the interstate as looking like a river
and several vehicles stalled in high water, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
First responders conducted high-water rescues from vehicles and homes in Mesquite, Seagoville, and Wills Point. In Seagoville, rising water trapped some residents inside their homes.
A lightning strike ignited a two-story house fire on Leeds Drive in Fort Worth on Wednesday night. The bolt hit the roof, sending flames through the structure, according to an eyewitness. Fire crews contained heavy damage, and no injuries occurred.
Conditions will be calmer on Thursday, with scattered showers possible through Friday. A stronger cold front arrives Friday night with the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Flooding will be a potential concern on Saturday as more heavy rain soaks saturated ground.
