The Gulf Coast and Tennessee Valley Continues To Get Soaked

Flood
Severe

25 Mar 2021, 8:00 am

Flooding, which sometimes can happen quickly, will be likely in parts of the northern Gulf Coast states into the Tennessee Valley through Friday.

Recent Rainfall

24-hour observed rainfall accumulation across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama showing 2-6″ of accumulation.

A round of heavy rain and thunderstorms already soaked the northern Gulf Coast cities on Tuesday, March 23rd with several inches of rain. Numerous daily rainfall records were broken, even shattered in some cases.

Record rainfall in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Tuesday, March 23rd, with 4.99″ of rain falling throughout the day.

New Orleans, Louisiana had record rain Tuesday, March 23rd with more than 5.5″ of accumulation!

The corridor of heaviest rainfall was between southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi/Alabama. These areas that were already heavily hit by rain will be subject to additional flooding, because the ground is already saturated and any additional rainfall could trigger flooding more easily.

Flood Potential Outlook

Looking ahead, another round of heavy rain will be likely today (Thursday) as a warm front lifts north from the Gulf of Mexico. These heavy showers will have the potential to cause scattered flooding along bayous, creeks, rivers, etc.

Forecast

Showers and thunderstorms will develop throughout the day from the Gulf Coast states into the Ohio Valley. Heavy rain will be focused in two areas: along a cold front where severe thunderstorms will be possible, and near the low pressure center.

Rainfall Forecast

In all, an additional 1-3″ of rainfall is forecast for parts of Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. Isolated total rainfall amounts of 3-6″ will be possible across these states.

Flood Alerts

A flash flood watch has been issued for parts of the Tennessee Valley area for one to four inches of rainfall and possible flooding into Friday.

The good news is weather conditions should start to dry out through next week, with a chance of showers again this weekend and Wednesday.

More updates are on the all day on WeatherNation!

About the author

Steven Glazier

Summer of 1993, New England Dragway. That's when and where Steve knew he wanted to become a meteorologist. More than 20 years later he is extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to live his childhood dream. As a lover of math and science, Steve had a consistent interest in weather in elementary, middle, and high school before discovering you can major in meteorology. He attended Lyndon State Co... Load Morellege in Vermont where he received a bachelor's in meteorology-broadcasting and associate's in television news. He has worked as a meteorologist and reporter in Winchester, VA, Burlington, VT, and most recently in West Palm Beach, FL. He's recognized by the American Meteorological Society with the Certification of Broadcast Meteorologists.

Recent Rainfall