Oklahoma City Flooding: Bystander Saves Driver From Submerged Car

OKLAHOMA, CITY -- "Dangerous flooding" from severe thunderstorms forced drivers to abandon their cars Thursday on Oklahoma City streets. Surreal photos posted on Twitter showed multiple cars submerged in feet of muddy, brown water on North Pennsylvania Avenue and West Memorial Road.

Video posted on YouTube shows a good Samaritan rescue a driver out of her car, which is almost completely under water. The man wades through chest-high water to reach the black sedan, which has activated its flashers.

The man manages to pry open the door and pulls the driver - an older woman - out of the car. He then escorts her to safety as two other men rush over to help them.

Several people were photographed in weather gear trying to wade through waist- and chest- high water.

Photos of serious flooding in the Penn & Memorial area of Oklahoma City. (Photos: @lauren_daniels4) #okwx pic.twitter.com/000zETVMRY
— BreakingNNow (@BreakingNNow) June 7, 2018

The National Weather Service in Norman issued a flood warning is in effect until 5 p.m. for parts of central and southwestern Oklahoma, including Northern Grady County, Caddo County, Oklahoma County, Lincoln County, Cleveland County, Canadian County, Pottawatomie County and McClain County.

At 1 p.m., "widespread flooding" was reported over the warned area, the agency said.

"Up to three inches of rain fell earlier in the day. Although heavy rainfall has subsided, runoff and residual flooding will continue," the NWS said.

State emergency management officials tweeted Thursday that flooding is happening in many parts of the state and warned drivers to stay away from washed out roads.

"Dangerous flooding is occurring in many parts of Oklahoma," the state Department of Emergency Management tweeted. "If you see a flooded road - DO NOT DRIVE INTO IT! The safest thing is to find a different route. Flood waters also carry debris & possibly electric currents, so avoid walking into water as well! #TurnAroundDontDrown #okwx"

Cars can be swept away in as little as 2 feet of water, the agency said. As little as six inches of water can sweep a person off their feet.

In the U.S., flash floods are the number one weather-related killer.

Despite it's state name, everything was not OK in Oklahoma City as drenching rains prompted a flash flood emergency in the area earlier today. This man found himself stranded during those downpours but was able to keep a smile. Listen in. pic.twitter.com/Q6N0zHSST9
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) June 7, 2018

Photo credit: Screenshot YouTube