In lieu of direct impact from Hurricane Joaquin, what led to historic rainfall in the Carolinas this past weekend?

According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "I have never seen rainfall this intense, in this large of an area and during this short of a period in absence of direct impact from a tropical storm or hurricane."

From 1 to 2 feet of rain has fallen over a broad area in the Carolinas, over a span of three to four days.

A very unusual combination of weather factors came together in just the right way to produce rainfall rates rarely experienced and total rainfall never precisely recorded before in part of the Southern United States.

Weather Setup for Historic Carolina Flooding

The setup not only disrupted travel and drenched ballgames in the East but also resulted in major flooding in some locations.

The key players included a strengthening non-tropical storm in the South, a strong area of high pressure in Canada and converging tropical moisture from Hurricane Joaquin and near the equator.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/what-factors-caused-historic-deadly-south-carolina-flooding-joaquin-tropical-moisture/52795370