Daily downpours to raise risk of flooding from Texas to the Carolinas
Drenching thunderstorms will frequent areas from Texas to the Carolinas and raise the risk for local flash flooding, travel delays and disruptions to outdoor activities this week.
The set up early this week will lead to heavier and more frequent thunderstorms than what is typical in the South during the summer months.
A series of weak storms will move along a boundary separating dry and cool air to the north from warm and humid air to the south.
Some communities will be drenched multiple times this week, raising the risk for flash, urban and small stream flooding. The thunderstorms have the potential to unleash several inches of rain in as many hours, which could quickly overwhelm storm drains and low-lying areas.
"The greatest risk of flash flooding on a regional basis will extend from part of northeastern Texas to portions of Louisiana and Mississippi," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
"However, flooding on a more isolated, urban basis can occur just about anywhere in the Deep South this week," Duffey said.
On Tuesday morning, a complex of heavy, slow-moving thunderstorms prompted flash flooding in Houston and surrounding areas. Over 3 inches of rain had already fallen at Houston's Intercontinental Airport as of 3 a.m. CDT Tuesday. Nearby locations had received over 6 inches of rainfall, according to gauges within the Harris County Flood Warning System.
Street flooding occurred throughout Harris County, Texas, with reports of trash cans floating down roadways and destructive basement flooding.
Major flooding hit San Antonio, Texas, on Monday morning as nearly 2.5 inches of rain poured down across the metro area. Nearby, a Cocorahs observer recorded 7.52 inches of rain near Llano, Texas. According to the emergency manager, water rescues were performed in flooded areas.
The City of Leon Valley, Texas, Fire Department said that residents in low-lying areas should evacuate on Monday morning amid major flooding.
A soaking, slow-moving thunderstorm unloaded a torrent of rainfall and left many neighborhoods under water in New Orleans over the weekend.
The thunderstorms will add to the meteorological summer (June through August) rainfall record that Gainesville, Florida, has already set. A total of 34.60 inches of rain fell spanning June to August 4, surpassing the previous record of 32.55 inches from 1965.
Gainesville averages 19.58 inches during the meteorological summer months.
Daily commutes may be slower than normal along stretches of interstates 10, 20, 30, 40, 55, 65, 75, 85 and 95 as motorists face standing water on the road and reduced visibility.
Airline passengers may encounter flight delays, while residents should prepare for possible disruptions to sporting events and other outdoor plans.
A few of the thunderstorms may also unleash damaging winds.
“Typical August heat will be kept at bay due to the increase in thunderstorms,” Strait said.
High temperatures that are usually in the 90s F will be held in the lower to middle 80s.
The exception will be across much of the Florida Peninsula for a time. Storms in this area will be more typical and spotty in nature through Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to rise into the lower 90s on most days.
However, tropical moisture from a system responsible for flooding downpours in the United States and British Virgin Islands on Monday night may reach part of the Peninsula beginning on Thursday.
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