Torrential Rain Causes Headaches for Morning Drivers

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Some Oklahoma drivers faced a dangerous commute after a storm moved through the metro Thursday morning bring torrential rains to the area.

High waters and a wreck closed part of Interstate 235 northbound for more than an hour.

ODOT officials said the area of I-235 and Northwest 50th Street is prone to flooding even though there is a storm drain because the area slopes, which can cause the drain to clog. Now many are asking the question, how can it be fixed?

Just last month a semi jacked-knifed causing a traffic nightmare after Oklahoma City police said water built up on the side of the interstate causing the driver of the semi to lose control.

Thursday morning's torrential rains along with debris ended up clogging the storm drain once again.

"We've had rains before and nothing happened. Sometimes we just have the right conditions of rain and debris and, unfortunately we had to go back out and unclog it," said ODOT spokesperson Cole Hackett.

Even though the area doesn't always flood when it rains, it is a problem ODOT officials said needs to be fixed and more storm drains doesn't appear to be the answer.

"Particularly in this area whenever the roadway was designed, we went and had to do an environmental study. The whole process and the design is what it came out to be and that's the drain they felt they needed to put in there," Hackett said.

One solution Hackett said ODOT is considering is putting in more of what are called "silt screens," which they said should help stop debris from clogging the storm drain.

Hackett said the specific area is part of a larger construction project, and when the project is finished it should help correct the flooding. However, the project will likely not be completed until 2011.