Sharp rain raises lakes, brings lightning on the house

A heavy rain Sunday boosted Wichita Falls’ annual rainfall nearly 10 inches above normal and helped area lakes.

The city officially received 1.29 inches of rain during Sunday’s storms, although higher unofficial counts were reported in the city.

Heavy rain led to street flooding and the fire department was called to assist a stranded motorist on East Scott Avenue.

The storms were also responsible for a lightning strike that set a home on fire in the 1200 block of Harvey Street shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday. Strong winds blew down some power lines.

Two adults, a child and three dogs got out safely, but the home and contents sustained about $52,000 in damage, according to the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Combined levels for the city’s main reservoirs, Lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo, rose 5.8 percent in the past week as rain added 7.2 percent to Lake Kickapoo and more than 5 percent to Lake Arrowhead. The total is now 79.4 percent.

Even if the lakes are above the levels required for stage 1 drought water use restrictions, the restrictions cannot be lifted until the City Council decides.

It is not on Tuesday’s council agenda.

Since Monday, Wichita Falls has received 21.33 inches of rain, compared to the normal total of 11.36 inches for this time of year.

Lake Kemp, which also provides part of the city’s water supply, was 100 percent full.

The National Weather Service forecast a light chance of rain in the region Monday night and Tuesday and again over the weekend. Otherwise, North Texas is in for a summer week with daily highs in the mid-90s.

This article originally appeared on the Wichita Falls Times Record News: Drizzling rain raises puddles and lightning on home