Tropical Depression Bill: 2 Dead In Oklahoma, At Least 1 Dead In Texas; Heavy Rain Threatens More Floods

The remnants of Tropical Storm Bill dumped heavy rain in central United States, killing at least three people. The storm made the landfall on Tuesday and later weakened to a tropical depression.

An 80-year-old woman died after her car partially submerged in floodwaters in central Oklahoma on Thursday, authorities reportedly said, making it the second death in the state.

The woman’s body was removed from her vehicle on Thursday in a flooded area near Macomb, about 45 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer told Shawnee News-Star. Palmer reportedly said that the woman may have ignored barricades and tried to drive through floodwaters. The cause of her death and her identity has not been revealed by the state medical examiner, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Late Wednesday, a 2-year-old southern Oklahoma boy died after he was pulled from his father's arms by floodwaters late Wednesday. Ardmore Police Captain Eric Hamblin said that Jeremiah Mayer's body was found Thursday afternoon, the AP reported.

In southeastern Texas, at least one person died due to the flooding caused by heavy rain. The state is still recovering from last month's record rainfall that triggered floods and killed at least 23 people.

Bill poured over 11 inches of rain along the coast of Texas before moving north and eventually slowing as it crossed into Oklahoma. The storm reportedly dumped an estimated 10 inches of rain on Thursday night in an area north of the Texas border and also forced the partial closure of an interstate.

An estimated rainfall of 3 to 5 inches is expected Thursday and Friday on the northwest corner of Arkansas, the AP reported.

"Those 3 to 5 inches are on top of all that rain they saw in May. Normally that wouldn't cause the concerns we have. But they're just so wet and the ground is already so saturated," Meteorologist Joe Goudsward of the North Little Rock office of the National Weather Service reportedly said.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon reportedly declared a state of emergency on Thursday as the tropical depression moved northward through the region, dumping heavy rain in some parts of the state. The tropical depression is reportedly expected to bring more rainfall in the state through Friday night.

"With more heavy rain in the forecast, we will continue to remain in direct contact with law enforcement and local officials as we work to protect lives and property," Nixon said in a statement, Reuters reported.