Flood Watches Issued Across 12 States as Heavy Rain Threatens Flash Flooding
Flood watches have been issued across at least a dozen states in the U.S. as forecasters warn of potential flash flooding due to repeated rounds of heavy rain. The National Weather Service has issued alerts covering areas from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic, including southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Florida panhandle, and parts of the Ohio Valley. The slow-moving weather pattern is expected to produce 'training' storms, where repeated downpours track over the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying communities and urban areas. In Texas, particularly in Central Texas and the Hill Country, forecasters have warned of life-threatening flooding potential, with rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches and isolated amounts up to 5 inches. Similar conditions are expected in the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Gulf Coast, where localized rainfall totals could reach 6 to 8 inches.