DALLAS – Residents across North Texas are assessing damage Thursday morning after a powerful line of severe storms swept through the Metroplex Wednesday night, leaving behind collapsed roofs, flooded highways, and record-breaking precipitation.
DFW Airport sets rainfall record 
The National Weather Service confirmed that Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport recorded 1.55 inches of rain on Wednesday, March 4. This officially breaks the previous daily record for the date of 1.27 inches, which had stood for nearly 90 years since 1937.Â
While the airport saw record-highs, neighboring areas like Mesquite and Seagoville reported even higher totals, ranging from 4 to 8 inches.
Garland roof collapse
Garland building collapse
In Garland, the intense rainfall is blamed for a structural collapse at a commercial building in the 2900 block of Kingsley Road. Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, emergency crews responded to reports that a buildup of water caused the roof to give way.Â
Seven workers inside the building managed to evacuate safely, and authorities confirmed there were no injuries.
Flash flooding and rescues
Torrential rain triggered dangerous flash flooding, particularly on Northbound I-45 near East Palestine Street in Hutchins. Witnesses described the interstate as looking “like a river,” with several vehicles becoming disabled in high water.
First responders performed multiple high-water rescues from both vehicles and homes in Mesquite, Seagoville, and Wills Point. In Seagoville, officials reported some residents became trapped in their homes as water levels rose rapidly.
Lightning sparks Fort Worth house fire 
In Fort Worth, fire crews battled a massive house fire Wednesday night believed to have been started by a lightning strike. Witnesses reported seeing the strike hit the two-story home shortly before flames erupted through the roof.Â
FOX 4 crews at the scene observed heavy fire damage, though no injuries have been reported.
‘Spider lightning’ lights up Lake Ray Hubbard
Amid the storms, a spectacular visual display over Lake Ray Hubbard went viral online. A 10-second video captured by a local resident shows a massive “spider lightning” crawl stretching horizontally across the sky, turning the night into daylight.Â
The electrical display illuminated the entire lakefront for several seconds, highlighting the immense energy of the system as it moved through Rockwall and Dallas counties.
More storms in the forecast 
The severe weather threat is not over. While Thursday and Friday may see a temporary lull with only scattered showers, a stronger cold front is expected to arrive Friday night.Â
This system will bring a renewed threat of large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes. By Saturday, the primary concern shifts back to flooding as heavy rain falls on already saturated soil.
LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth 
The Source: Information in this article comes from police reports, FOX 4 forecasters and previous reporting.