Southeastern states can expect a prolonged deluge with the possibility of intense flash flooding as Tropical Storm Arthur moves through the area.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Arthur, which formed off the coast of Texas, is the first named storm of this hurricane season.
Storms receive names once their wind speeds reach or exceed 39 mph.National Hurricane Center forecasters said Wednesday that Arthur’s wind speeds had reached about 45 mph with some higher gusts.
They expected 5 to 10 inches of rain through early Friday along the Texas coast, before the storm douses parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Georgia and Florida.As much as 20 inches of rain could fall in some unlucky areas.
“Heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding remain the primary hazard with this system,” forecasters said Wednesday morning.The highest flash flood potential over the next three days stretches from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Montgomery, Alabama, with the highest rainfall totals expected near Mobile, Alabama, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Zachary Handlos, an atmospheric scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, said the potential for flash flooding will be determined by how quickly the storm moves through the region.“What it comes down to is, is the rainfall going to park itself or become stationary over any of these locations?” Handlos said.
“That is a little harder to predict.”Parts of Texas are already dealing with severe rainfall.On Monday, Gov.
Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 101 counties due to severe storms.Before this month, Handlos said, large portions of the Southeast, like northwest Mississippi and Louisiana, had been dealing with a prolonged drought.
Recent rainfall has helped quench the dryness, but it could also prime the region for flooding as Arthur moves through.“After going through most of March, April and some of May with a...