911 Calls Highlight Dangers Of Rising Waters

DENTON COUNTY, TX (CBSDFW.COM) - Many people found themselves in dangerous situations across northern Denton County early Thursday morning as flooding rainfall moved across the area.

Part of I-35 near Sanger became impassable and was closed by authorities at times Thursday. As of Thursday morning, the nearby Clear Creek was nearing 26 feet, up from about 5.5 feet from Wednesday. The creek is considered at flood stage at 25 feet.

The rising water on the roads and in neighborhoods also prompted several 911 calls from drivers - and home owners - looking for help.

Nearly eleven inches of rain fell in Valley View, north of Denton.  Most of that rain came during a short period of time in the pre-dawn hours Thursday morning.  Runoff created what some 911 callers referred to as "a lake" on I-35. Valley View's Police Chief Greg Adcock said about 30 people had to be rescued from the high water.

The Denton County Sherriff's Department released 911 calls Friday that highlighted the danger that some found themselves in during the flooding. The level of urgency and concern was clear as the callers described their situation and asked for help (The calls have been edited to remove long pauses in the conversation, and personal information).

In the first call the 911 operator stayed with the caller as the water level rose around her car.

Listen to Audio: 911 High Water Rescue Phone Call. Woman Trapped In Car.

The second caller was worried about staying inside her home with water rising in her living room, and told the operator that a bike had just floated across her lawn.

Listen to Audio: 911 High Water Rescue Phone Call. Flooding Inside House.

 

Drier weather is in the forecast for the next few days. Click here for the CBS 11 Storm Team forecast.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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