CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri — A dangerous combination of heavy rainfall and severe weather has led to devastating flash floods in multiple areas of the nation’s heartland for the third consecutive night. The situation is expected to worsen on Saturday, with some regions facing unprecedented levels of rainfall. Torrential rains stalled over southeastern Missouri and the Texarkana region of northeastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas on Friday night, resulting in multiple Flash Flood Emergency warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
In Missouri, Cape Girardeau and Van Buren were particularly hard hit, with over 3 inches of rain falling in just 90 minutes on Friday evening. Emergency managers reported numerous roads submerged in water and ongoing water rescues in these areas. Similar dire warnings were issued for Texarkana, where 2-4 inches of rain fell, leading to stranded motorists and ongoing water rescues.
The flooding has caused significant damage in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with reports of 60% of the downtown area submerged. Homes have been swamped, with cars partially or fully submerged in water. Tornado warnings have also been issued across the Lower Mississippi Valley and northeastern Texas as severe thunderstorms continue to develop.
Although significant damage has been reported in Clarksville, Texas, there have been no immediate reports of injuries. A bottling plant in Hawkins, Texas, was damaged by a tornado strike, following a similar path to a tornado that struck the plant in 2016. As the storm system remains stalled over the central U.S., at least eight people have lost their lives this week due to severe weather and flooding events.
Among the casualties was a 9-year-old boy in Frankfort, Kentucky, who was swept away by floodwaters on his way to school. Additionally, seven others have died from tornadoes and severe storms, with five fatalities reported in Tennessee. The situation remains critical as the region continues to face extreme weather conditions.
Severe flooding is expected over the weekend in the Central United States, with ongoing rounds of heavy rainfall likely to bring historically high amounts of precipitation to areas including the lower Ohio Valley, mid-South, and Ozarks, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Rainfall totals of 5-15 inches are anticipated, with some regions possibly receiving up to 20 inches. The rapid rainfall rates, exceeding 2 inches per hour, could trigger sudden flash floods, catching residents off guard with the swift rise of water levels. Several areas have already experienced significant rainfall, with over 9 inches recorded in Lewisburg, Kentucky, and varying amounts in Bowling Green, Memphis, and Nashville.
A category 4 flash flood risk, the highest level on the warning system, remains in place for more than 5 million people until early Sunday morning, including major cities like Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Memphis. Nashville faces a level 3 flash flood risk just outside this zone. Meteorologist Ryan Husted from the National Weather Service in Nashville warns of potential severe thunderstorms on Saturday due to saturated ground, which could exacerbate flooding risks.
Flood Watches cover a nearly 1,000-mile stretch across 12 states, with forecasters predicting flooding in areas not typically prone to such events. In addition to flash flooding, significant river flooding is expected, with 45 rivers forecast to reach major flood stage and over 110 others reaching at least moderate flood stage. The NWS Paducah meteorologists anticipate considerable and possibly historic impacts from this event.
Even after the rain ceases on Sunday, the flood effects are projected to linger as water continues to flow into larger streams and rivers, causing ongoing rise in water levels through the weekend and into the following week. Areas that were spared during the initial rainfall may face flooding later on as the water drains into the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, potentially affecting downstream regions.
The FOX Forecast Center also warns of multiple rounds of severe storms on Saturday, with damaging winds, a few tornadoes, large hail, and gusts exceeding 70 mph possible in various regions. The severe weather will kick off early in the day, with storms forming from northeast Texas to the Ohio Valley. Northern Louisiana, central Mississippi, and far northeast Texas are at notable risk of tornadoes, while western Tennessee down to the Houston metro could experience strong non-tornadic winds exceeding 75 mph.
Overall, the NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center advises residents in the affected areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions to safeguard life and property during this severe weather event.
The Storm Prediction Center is monitoring a wide area spanning from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys – encompassing regions facing the risk of significant flash flooding. A line of storms is forecasted to sweep through Mississippi and Louisiana overnight, primarily posing a threat of damaging winds. Additionally, there is a chance of a few tornadoes occurring. Severe weather is expected to persist into early Sunday, moving through parts of the Gulf Coast states and the Tennessee Valley. [Source: Catastrophic rainfall leads to Flash Flood Emergencies as severe weather outbreak extends into its fourth day]
