(KTEN) – October 4 started out as a quiet day and quickly turned active into the afternoon and evening. Strong storms arrived out of the west and started causing issues fast. Hundreds of lightning strikes occurred around Texoma, including some causing grass fires in southwestern Cooke County, per the Cooke County Emergency Manager.

Lightning strike over Lake Texoma
Lightning strike over Lake Texoma Joe Wood

 

A shelf cloud rolled into Ardmore, Oklahoma, during the evening of October 4 ahead of a strong storm that brought flash flooding to the city.

Shelf cloud rolling into Ardmore, OK
Shelf cloud rolling into Ardmore, OK Joan Luvin Summers

 

Multiple inches of rain fell in some locations, bringing flash flooding concerns throughout the evening. As of 9:15 p.m. October 4, more than four inches of rain has been observed in Ardmore, and more than three inches of rain in Pauls Valley and Tishomingo.

Rainfall totals for October 4
Rainfall totals for October 4 KTEN

 

Flash flooding will remain a concern through the early morning hours of October 5. A Flood Watch is in effect October 5 for our Oklahoma counties until 7 a.m. and 4 a.m. for our North Texas counties.

Flood Watches are in place through October 5
Flood Watches are in place through October 5 KTEN

 

Make sure if you are driving in the pre-sunrise hours of October 5 to monitor the roads carefully and take it slow. Low-lying areas will likely be flooded in some spots. Additionally, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN if you encounter any flooded roadways.

Storms will quickly diminish heading into the sunrise hours of October 5 and Texoma will clear out by the afternoon of October 5 as the cold front exits the region. A backdoor, reinforcing cold front will bring in much cooler air by October 7 with morning temperatures in the 40s! This could be the coolest air Texoma has felt since April 29.

The coolest air since April 29 arrives by October 7
The coolest air since April 29 arrives by October 7 KTEN

 

Enjoy the fall weather!