Turn Around, Don't Drown Warning Issued As Flood Rescues Continue Across Northeast Oklahoma

Turn Around, Don't Drown Warning Issued As Flood Rescues Continue Across Northeast Oklahoma

Emergency officials are urging drivers to follow the Turn Around, Don't Drown message as flash flooding continues to create dangerous conditions across northeast Oklahoma.

After several days of repeated heavy rainfall, saturated ground has led to rapidly rising water, flooded roadways, and multiple water rescues throughout the Tulsa metro area. Emergency crews remain busy responding to stranded motorists who attempted to drive through flooded streets.

Officials say the greatest impacts are occurring in low-lying areas where creeks, drainage systems, and tributaries have overflowed, creating hazardous travel conditions throughout the region.

Authorities are asking Oklahomans to avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas and to never underestimate the force of moving water.

Turn Around, Don't Drown Message Follows Multiple Water Rescues

The Turn Around, Don't Drown warning comes as firefighters and swift-water rescue teams continue responding to emergencies involving trapped motorists.

Emergency crews with the Tulsa Fire Department and neighboring agencies have rescued multiple drivers after vehicles became stranded in floodwaters.

Communities experiencing the greatest flooding include Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Bixby, where numerous roads, underpasses, and intersections have become impassable.

Officials say conditions can change rapidly as additional rainfall moves through the area, causing water levels to rise within minutes.

Motorists are encouraged to monitor local weather conditions before traveling and avoid roads that have been barricaded due to flooding.

Additional flood safety information is available through the National Weather Service Tulsa Forecast Office.

Flooded Roads Can Hide Serious Dangers

Emergency managers say the Turn Around, Don't Drown campaign exists because many flood-related deaths occur inside vehicles.

While flooded roads may appear shallow, officials warn that less than two feet of moving water can carry away most passenger vehicles, including many SUVs and pickup trucks.

Floodwaters also create hidden hazards beneath the surface.

Roadways can become undermined by erosion, leaving pavement unsupported and vulnerable to collapse without warning.

Nighttime driving presents an even greater risk because standing water is often difficult to see until it is too late to stop safely.

Officials emphasize that no destination is worth risking your life by attempting to cross a flooded roadway.

Additional emergency preparedness information is available through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Heavy Rain Continues To Impact Northeast Oklahoma

The ongoing Turn Around, Don't Drown warnings follow multiple rounds of heavy rain that have overwhelmed drainage systems across northeast Oklahoma.

Local creeks, streams, and tributaries feeding into the Arkansas River continue to rise as runoff flows into waterways already swollen from previous storms.

Emergency officials say additional rainfall could prolong flooding concerns and create new areas of high water over the coming days.

Drivers should remain alert for road closures, detours, and changing weather conditions while allowing extra travel time if they must be on the road.

Residents living near creeks and flood-prone areas are also encouraged to monitor forecasts and be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding worsens.

Current watches, warnings, and flood information are available through the Oklahoma Mesonet.

As flooding continues across northeast Oklahoma, emergency officials say the safest decision remains the simplest one: if you encounter water covering a roadway, remember the Turn Around, Don't Drown message and find another route.

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