Flood threat shifts to Central and West Texas after tropically enhanced storms slammed Southern Plains

THE TAKEAWAY

A dangerous flash flood threat is shifting south over parts of West Texas and the Texas Hill Country after tropically enhanced storms dropped more than 5 inches of rain on Oklahoma City Wednesday. NOAA has issued a Level 3 out of 4 risk of flash flooding Thursday for areas south and east of the Davis Mountains, with periods of heavy rain extending into North Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

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A large dip in the jet stream is funneling moisture north from Tropical Storm Simon, which is churning off the coast of western Mexico, and will enhance storms across parts of the Central U.S. through Thursday.

Oklahoma City recorded more than 5 inches of rain Wednesday, now the second-wettest day in the city's history, since record-keeping began in 1890.

Firefighters said they responded to 35 accidents and five water assists, in addition to calls of downed power lines due to heavy rain early Wednesday. 

Drone video showed widespread flooding over fields and roads near Foss, Oklahoma, in the western part of the state Wednesday, when intense thunderstorms developed along a 1,500-mile corridor from Texas' Big Bend region to Morgantown, West Virginia.

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Severe storms also broke out across parts of the Southern Plains Wednesday afternoon, producing a tornado that touched down near Fort Stockton.

The city shared video on social media showing crews cleaning up after severe storms rolled through the area.

A storm chaser captured video of a grass fire in Foard County in north-central Texas that he said was ignited by a lightning strike.

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Flood Watches remain in effect from parts of West Texas through Central Oklahoma and into southeastern Kansas through Thursday evening.

A Level 2 flash flood threat covers parts of West and north-central Texas through Friday morning.

A broader Level 1 threat extends into parts of Missouri, including St. Louis, as well as southern Illinois and southern Indiana.

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Despite the flash flooding, the rain has also been beneficial for Oklahoma, Texas and southern Missouri, which have been mired in Extreme to Exceptional drought conditions.