Southeast braces for weekend washout as Gulf Coast soaks up tropical moisture
The persistent heavy rain, stretching from the Carolinas down to Florida, combined with already saturated ground from the past week's weather, creates a heightened risk of flash flooding across the region.
Days of heavy rain set to swamp the Southeast through this weekend
A prolonged unsettled weather pattern is forecast to persist across much of the southeastern U.S. through early next week, as a nearly stationary frontal boundary continues to drift slowly eastward, the FOX Forecast Center said.
NEW ORLEANS – Residents across the southeastern U.S. are squarely in the path of a widespread flood threat, with some areas anticipating nearly half a foot of rainfall.
The FOX Forecast Center said this deluge is expected to continue not just through the weekend but well into the middle of next week.
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The persistent heavy rain, stretching from the Carolinas down to Florida, combined with already saturated ground from the past week's weather, creates a heightened risk of flash flooding across the region.
"For folks that live across the Southeast, it's not just the hail or the damaging winds. It is a rain problem," warned FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin.
DAMAGE REPORTED IN LOUISIANA AFTER POSSIBLE TORNADO AMID ACTIVE WEEK OF WEATHER ALONG GULF COAST
Quarter-sized hail was reported near downtown Asheville, North Carolina, on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
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On Friday, a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk exists for portions of southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Rainfall rates associated with developing storms may overwhelm already saturated soils, particularly in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
While the overall flood outlook is minimal, Merwin said the sheer volume of tropical moisture being drawn into the region is raising concerns, pointing to satellite imagery that clearly depicts a significant amount of water vapor locked within the weather system. This saturated atmosphere, evidenced by dew points in New Orleans reaching a stifling 72 degrees, is primed to unleash torrential downpours.
The striking blue and green patterns on this water vapor map signal a surge of tropical moisture associated with the low-pressure system.
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"When it rains across the Gulf Coast, we just have torrential rain. I mean, the visibility goes out the window. You can't see anything, and it becomes very tricky to travel," Merwin noted.
The FOX Forecast Center said a developing area of low pressure off the Georgia coast will enhance onshore flow by Saturday, drawing Atlantic moisture into portions of southern Georgia and South Carolina.
This setup will intensify rainfall coverage and rates, increasing the potential for localized flooding into Sunday. For this reason, a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk exists Sunday through Monday morning, encompassing areas from Tallahassee, Florida, to Charleston, South Carolina.
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"For a Saturday (when) you're trying to travel … it's going to be really tough," Merwin stressed. "Any flights through Atlanta will probably struggle this weekend just because of the weather."
Western North Carolina, still recovering from Hurricane Helene nearly eight months ago, is projected to receive an additional 2-3 inches of rain through Tuesday. Given recent saturation levels, even modest rainfall could exacerbate runoff and flood concerns in the region, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
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FOX Weather's Robert Ray captures widespread destruction across Asheville, North Carolina
FOX Weather's Robert Ray captured this footage from Asheville, North Carolina, and says it's the worst damage he's discovered in the city. Cars are seen upside down covered in mud, homes are destroyed and large piles of debris cover the streets.
The system is expected to exit the Southeast by Tuesday, gradually diminishing the flash flood threat.
However, rainfall totals throughout the duration of the event are expected to range from 3-5 inches across much of the Southeast, with localized amounts exceeding 7 inches near the Atlantic coast in southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
(FOX Weather)
While the rainfall may pose short-term hazards, long-term benefits are anticipated. In South Carolina, where nearly 49% of the state is experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, the incoming precipitation may provide much-needed relief.