Flash Flood Shuts Down Six Flags Over Texas

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth Zoo Closes Monday, Six Flags Closes Tuesday

FT. WORTH, Texas (KXAS TV) -- For the second time in as many days, flash flooding Tuesday struck a popular North Texas attraction, as rain fell on the area for a record-tying 17th consecutive day.

Heavy afternoon rains in Arlington forced the Johnson Creek out of its banks, sending a wall of water racing into the Six Flags amusement park.

The flash flood was so furious that officials closed the park entirely.

"Initially, we were shutting off certain sections of the park, down the tower section, Boomtown, Shockwave area. And then we made the decision just to close the entire park," Six Flags Over Arlington spokesperson Sandra Daniels said. "But at no time were guests ever in any danger."

Floodwater actually had a direct impact on several rides. In fact, water rose above one low-lying portion of the Texas Giant roller-coaster track.

At the peak of the flood's power, Chopper 5 captured images of park workers battling rushing water to secure various items throughout the attraction.

During that time, visitors to the park outside of the flooded areas were surprised to learn that their day of would-be fun was a complete washout.

"When we got here this morning, it was not raining or anything, but they didn't have any of the rides open. They have not allowed us to be on any rides today. We sat through one thunderstorm. Nobody tells you anything," Patty Pierce said.

In response to the closing, park officials issued admission vouchers to Pierce and other disappointed visitors.

Despite the complete closure of the park, officials said the attraction would re-open at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service, Tuesday was the 17th-straight day with rain in North Texas, tying a streak set in 1940.

The park flooding was the second such event in as many days.

On Monday, flooding forced the Fort Worth Zoo to be evacuated of about 250 visitors -- and some rhinoceroses, primates and birds had to be moved into covered areas.

Several cars, including a police cruiser, were partially submerged.

The flooding at the zoo had subsided by about 4 p.m., but some zoo visitors remained with their inoperable vehicles. The cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles waiting to be towed were soiled inside and out with silt and mud.

"I love this car very much. It's my baby. I had it for a long time. I've taken good care of it," zoo visitor David Yarmer said. "Time to get a new one, maybe an SUV."

Nearby, flooding also took its toll on a used car lot at the intersection of Frazier and Cleburne. High water partially engulfed several cars on display for sale.

High water slogged through a car dealership, a pharmacy, a shopping center, as well as some offices and 12 student apartments at Texas Christian University.

A springlike weather pattern has already made for the fourth soggiest June on record for North Texas, NBC 5 Chief Meteorologist David Finfrock said Monday.

As much as 6 inches of rain fell on parts of Tarrant and southern Dallas County Monday, causing widespread flooding but no injuries. Fort Worth fire officials said they received about 55 reports of high water.

About 30 people living in a Fort Worth apartment complex are trying to clean up the mess left from Monday's heavy rain.

Water rose so quickly, many residents in the West Cliff Manor didn't have time to move their belongings. Living rooms were drenched and everything inside ruined.

"Water was just pouring through the door. It just came out from I don't know where ... a flash flood like I've never seen here" apartment resident John Paulson said.

Several businesses also flooded near TCU, including a Walgreens drugstore, where customers said they were taken by surprise by a violent wall of water.

"We were shopping, and all of a sudden this raging wall of water came in and was halfway up the doors [of the store]," Debra Robertson said. "And we had to close the doors ... and [the water] forced the doors open and all the water came in the store."

The force of the water was so strong at one point, street signs were flattened, cars were toppled, and asphalt was ripped from the ground.

In Mansfield, residents of a mobile home park were evacuated.

Elsewhere, in Arlington, firefighters used a raft to free four trapped workers at a fencing company near Rush Creek. Each victim was reportedly brought to dry land safely.

SBC Communications said about 600 customers were without telephone service after a Fort Worth manhole was flooded, damaging an underground copper cable.

In Dallas, heavy rains pushed the Trinity River past its banks and into a bordering parking lot and park.

The stormy weather in North Texas is expected to continue into July, with temperatures in the upper 80s to 90 degrees.

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