Record rainfall hits Dallas–Fort Worth as storms flood highways across North Texas
Record rainfall struck Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, on March 4, 2026, when Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport recorded 39.4 mm (1.55 inches) of rain, breaking the previous daily record of 32.3 mm (1.27 inches) set in 1937. The storms flooded highways across North Texas, caused the collapse of a commercial building roof on Kingsley Road, and triggered a lightning-caused house fire in Fort Worth.
Fire caused by a lightning strike near Dallas, Texas on March 3, 2026, amid severe thunderstorm activity. Credit: DFWFD
Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport recorded 39.4 mm (1.55 inches) of rain on March 4, breaking the previous daily record of 32.3 mm (1.27 inches) set in 1937, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The airport has received a total of 96.3 mm (3.79 inches) of rain so far in 2026.
Heavy rain caused flooding on multiple routes across North Texas, including Interstate 45 near Hutchins and Interstate 20 near Highway 67 in Dallas.
A commercial building collapsed on the 2 900 block of Kingsley Road in Garland after the roof gave way during the storm. Seven workers inside the building evacuated safely.
The Fort Worth Fire Department responded to a house fire reportedly caused by a lightning strike on the 4 200 block of Leeds Drive after receiving a call just before 21:00 local time (LT) on March 3.
Crews arriving on the scene observed a fast-moving fire coming from the roof of a two-story corner home and began an initial interior attack. After about 20 minutes, the safety officer ordered an evacuation and the incident commander transitioned operations to a defensive strategy.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than an hour before bringing it under control at around 22:35 local time (LT).
The storms were part of a broader severe weather system affecting parts of the central and southern United States, producing thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across several states.
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Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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