M E D I A    A D V I S O R Y

Contact:          Lt. Jesse Garcia or Lt. Joel Lavender             FOR RELEASE ON
                        Office: 214-670-7949 
                        Pager: 214-670-4115 Pin # 9885                        7/29/2004
                        jdgarc@mail.ci.dallas.tx.us             

Flooding Keeps Emergency Crews Busy Overnight

Dallas Fire-Rescue crews were busy throughout the night as flooding waters threatened the lives of several area residents.  Crews responded to over 1800 calls between the hours of 6pm and 6am, which is 6 times the normal amount for a weekday.  While the majority of the incidents occurred in the southeast part of Dallas, all 9 Rescue boats were deployed throughout the city, responding to reports of motorists and pedestrians stranded in high water. 

The area near Simpson Stuart and I-45 was affected the most, and in one incident, residents were forced to climb to the roof of a gas station in order to keep from being swept away.  Special Rescue teams were sent out several times to rescue individuals who where trapped inside their vehicles while being surrounded by rapidly moving water.  A great number of residents from a nearby apartment complex and residential homes were also evacuated when the flooding worsen.  These residents are currently being assisted at a local shelter.

The weather also caused chaos on freeways and major thoroughfares.  Emergency crews responded to 88 major accidents during the twelve-hour period; several of these were severe enough to warrant the deployment of extrication teams.  There were also reports of five overturned trailers in five separate incidents. 

Emergency crews also responded to 15 structure fires, the majority caused by lightning strikes.