Heavy Rain, Flood Threat Continues For Gulf Coast, Lower Mississippi Valley

Soaking rainfall is expected to spread east along the Gulf Coast and through other parts of the South into Monday night, potentially causing flooding problems in areas where rain persists the longest. An upper-level low pressure system and an area of low pressure sliding east along the Gulf Coast have combined to deliver the drenching downpours. The surface low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico formed partially in response to the mid- and upper-level remnants of Hurricane Patricia. Also involved is the leftover moisture from Patricia.

This setup resulted in flooding along parts of the Texas Gulf Coast, including the Houston metro area, on Saturday. Many roadways and vehicles were reported to be under water around Houston Saturday night. Other parts of Texas have also seen flooding in recent days, with localized rainfall totals of more than one foot. Corsicana, Texas, has already received more than 20 inches of rain since Thursday, causing serious flash flooding. In addition to flooding, a few rotating thunderstorms may spawn brief tornadoes along the Gulf Coast through Monday night.

Rainfall Reports

Forecast: Flood Threat Spreads East:
The heavy rain will continue to spread a bit farther east, into portions of Alabama, Georgia, the central Florida Panhandle, as well as into North and South Carolina and Tennessee. The threat of flooding may be enhanced in southern Alabama, southern Mississippi and the western Florida Panhandle due to a persistent inflow of Gulf moisture. A few severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts or isolated tornadoes from southern Alabama into the western and central Florida Panhandle. Strong winds will continue along the immediate Gulf Coast, with gusts topping 30 mph at times on Monday.