torrential rains struck parts of northeastern Texas

Severity of flash flooding in Dallas area surprises residents as rescue crews respond to hundreds of calls for help

After torrential rains struck parts of northeastern Texas and sent floodwaters rushing through streets and homes, rescue crews fanned out across the region on Monday, responding to hundreds of calls for aid from residents stunned by the severity of the downpour.

Heavy rain and flash flooding brought record rainfall to the Dallas-Forth Worth area between Sunday and Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Forth Worth. More than 9 inches fell at Dallas Forth Worth Airport over a 24-hour period that began Sunday, marking the highest rainfall over that length of time that the area has seen since 1932, the agency said.

The downpour made this month the wettest August on record in Dallas, reaching 10.38 inches as of Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was set in 1915 at 10.33 inches.

The major flood threat began to subside in the area on Tuesday as the storms shift eastward toward Louisiana and Mississippi. Parts of eastern and southeastern Texas were still under a slight risk for excessive rainfall Tuesday.

Business owner Allen Thompson told CNN affiliate KTVT that the flooding was unlike anything he had ever seen in his time living in the Dallas suburb of Balch Springs.

“I’ve been here 13 years, and this is by far the worst it’s ever flooded,” Thompson said of Hickory Creek, which runs through the city.