Authorities Discourage Travel In Parts Of OK County Due To Flooding

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office is discouraging travel in several areas of Oklahoma County, due to major flooding issues.

Multiple tornadoes touched down in the Oklahoma City metro area Friday evening. Officials confirm five people have been killed, including a mother and her baby, and about 50 people are being treated for their injuries.

The severe storms also brought heavy rain to the Oklahoma County, causing a serious flooding problem.

Much of the metro is dealing with flooding. Up to 10 inches of rain fell in a 24 hour time period. Officials say about an inch of water flooded City Hall Friday night.

One woman says she and her family thought they were safe in their basement, until water started pouring in.

Crews in downtown Oklahoma City will get first hand look at the damage Saturday morning.

Oklahoma Police Captain Dexter Nelson is encouraging drivers to stay off the roads Saturday, as crews work to remove debris from roadways. OG&E crews are also working to restore power in the metro as more than 90,000 customers are still without power.

There are also cars people abandoned on the roadways.

According to News 9 reporter Rusty Surette, a man became trapped on top of his car in the area of N.E. 63rd and Midwest Blvd. after he drove into a heavily flooded area at about 1 a.m. Saturday. He was rescued just after 7 a.m.

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According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies assisted with more than ten high water rescues of people who were trapped in their vehicles due to flooding.

Currently we are seeing serious flooding in:

*Crutcho - In the area of NE 23rd between Hiawasee & Choctaw Road.

*Choctaw - Several areas in Choctaw are under water.

*Deer Creek - Multiple roads are impassable due to high water.

Due to the serious flooding issues the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office has called in additional personnel to assist with traffic control and road closures.

The Sheriff's Office asks all commuters to delay driving on until after noon. Drivers should not drive into any water on the roads as this is a very dangerous situation this morning.

The Norman Police Department is also encouraging residents be careful while traveling the streets of Norman on Saturday.

The heavy amount of overnight rainfall has caused a significant amount of flooding throughout Norman and the OKC metro area.

A number of Norman intersections and roadways are closed and impassable. As of 6 a.m., essentially every major roadway is closed and impassable from Tecumseh Road to Indian Hills Road.

Officers urge drivers to obey all signs and barricades, and drivers should not drive around them.

The flooding may appear to have receded but the streets need to be evaluated before they are opened back up and available for safe travel, according to police.

If at all possible, officers recommend that citizens simply avoid the flooded area until the roads are opened back up for safe travel.