A large storm that brought heavy rain to the Southeast is now moving towards the Mid-Atlantic states, posing a threat of significant rainfall and coastal flooding, meteorologists warned on Tuesday. Flood watches have been issued for the Washington, D.C., area, including parts of Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. Rainfall totals of up to 3 inches are expected, with the possibility of up to 5 inches in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Central North Carolina, still recovering from previous storms, could see up to 5 inches of rain by Wednesday, raising the risk of flash flooding extending into Pennsylvania.
Despite the region experiencing drought conditions, the heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, according to meteorologist Peter Mullinax. Some areas in Virginia and North Carolina are under a flood watch. In North Carolina, Asheville is still rebuilding from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene months ago, with the area now facing potential heavy rainfall prompting a hazardous weather outlook.
Meanwhile, a heat wave is sweeping across the Midwest, with record-breaking temperatures in Minnesota and North Dakota. Red flag fire warnings are in effect due to dry conditions and high winds. In the Southeast, the storm brought significant rainfall over the weekend, causing flooding in cities such as Savannah, Augusta, and Columbia. Coastal flooding is a concern in various areas, with some rivers expected to reach flood levels later in the week.
Cities along the Atlantic coast, including Miami and Charleston, are at risk of high-tide flooding.
According to AccuWeather, areas might experience a higher flood risk due to heavy rainfall potentially overwhelming drainage systems that are already under strain. The storm that drenched the Southeast is now posing a threat of coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic region.
