Flood Threat Grows Across the Plains as Simon Moves North
Hurricane Simon’s remnants are expected to push tropical moisture northward, fueling repeated rounds of storms and a multiday flood threat across the central United States through Thursday. A Level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk is in place for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, while flash flooding could affect northern Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. By Wednesday, the flood threat is expected to increase across western Kansas, much of Missouri and western Illinois, including Kansas City, St. Louis and Wichita. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches could stretch nearly 1,000 miles from northern Texas to Illinois. While the rain may ease persistent drought in parts of the region, heavy downpours could cause dangerous flooding.