Not just hurricanes: Tropical storms in history that packed a punch with historic, deadly flooding
Here are some of the most notable Atlantic tropical storms to impact the U.S. with historic, consequential flooding.
FILE: Remnants of Post-Tropical Storm Arthur bring heavy rain and serious flash flood threat
STORM REMNANTS: The remnants of Post-Tropical Storm Arthur make their presence felt to millions of Americans, as persistent rain and a serious flash flood threat persist for residents in the south. FOX Weather Meteorologist Haley Meier reports from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with the latest:
The first storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Arthur, recently impacted portions of the Southeast with heavy downpours and gusty winds throughout last week.
Areas such as Plaucheville, Louisiana, recorded almost two feet of rain in just a couple of days, leading to widespread flash flooding across the region.
While not every storm is as impactful as a major hurricane when it makes landfall, tropical storms can still bring plenty of rain in a short amount of time. This can lead to flash flooding and cause river levels to rise to new record heights.
ARTHUR’S REMNANTS TAKE AIM AT THE EAST COAST AS HISTORIC FLOODING RAVAGES MILLIONS ACROSS THE SOUTH
Here is a look back on some of the tropical storms that caused the worst flooding.
Tropical Storm Alberto — 1994
Orange Beach In Alabama On A Foggy Day (Madison Muskopf / Getty Images)
Tropical Storm Alberto was a July tropical storm during the 1994 hurricane season that brought flooding to portions of Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle.
Alberto produced a maximum rainfall total of 27.85 inches in Americus, Georgia, while surrounding regions in southwest Georgia, southeast Alabama and the Florida panhandle received well over 10 inches of rain.
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The storm caused rivers to rapidly rise, especially around Macon, Georgia, leaving communities inundated for days.
In total, Alberto is estimated to have left behind $1.3 billion in damage and caused 32 deaths from the flooding.
Tropical Storm Allison — 2001
Hurricane Ian in Saint Augustine Florida at Castillo de san Marco national monument (Devon Zinnel / Getty Images)
Tropical Storm Allison was the first named storm of the 2001 hurricane season, and brought heavy rains to Texas and Louisiana as it slowly moved over the Southeast for almost an entire week.
Rainfall totals peaked at 40.68 inches just outside of Houston, with many areas around the city receiving similar totals.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated the damage in Houston alone was $5 billion from the flooding.
Louisiana had areas reach over two feet of rain, other states in the Southeast recorded rainfall totals up to a foot.
Overall, Allison left $9 billion in damage and 50 deaths in its wake due to the extensive flooding.
Tropical Storm Lee — 2011
FILE - Rain and heavy clouds send beachgoers scrambling on November 8, 2022 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Tropical Storm Lee and its remnant moisture brought heavy rainfall and flooding to portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and the Mid-Atlantic during the 2011 hurricane season.
Rainfall totals peaked at 20.96 inches in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and 15.48 inches in Holden, Louisiana, with other areas across the region seeing over a foot of rain.
In particular, the Susquehanna River experienced record-setting flooding across portions of Pennsylvania and Upstate New York, leading to the evacuation of about 100,000 people, including the governor’s mansion.
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In total, Lee caused 15 deaths and more than $1 billion in damage.
Tropical Storm Debby — 2012
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA (SKashkin / Getty Images)
Tropical Storm Debby was an early season storm that slowly crossed the Florida peninsula during the 2012 hurricane season.
Debby produced maximum rainfall totals of 28.78 inches in Curtis Mill, Florida, with other areas across northern Florida and the Big Bend region seeing rainfall totals of over a foot in just two days.
The high rainfall totals led to the Sopchoppy River cresting to a record height of 36.8 feet in Wakulla county.
Overall, Debby caused $250 million in damage from flooding across the Sunshine State, and eight deaths.
Tropical Storm Imelda — 2019
Flooded city roads. Highways under water. Effects Tropical Storm Imelda. Houston, Texas, US (irin717 / Getty Images)
Tropical Storm Imelda was a short-lived tropical storm during the 2019 hurricane season that brought record rainfall to portions of southeastern Texas.
Similar to Tropical Storm Allison, Imelda was a very slow-moving storm with peak rainfall totals of 44.29 inches just outside Fannett, Texas, of which 31 inches fell in just 12 hours.
Many of the surrounding areas got over two feet of rain in just a few days, leaving neighborhoods flooded in its wake. Overall, Imelda caused $5 billion in damage and led to five deaths.
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Despite all these storms only peaking and making landfall as tropical storms, they still caused considerable damage to the communities they impacted across the eastern U.S., similar to Arthur.
No matter the category of a storm, it can still bring life-threatening impacts to communities from heavy rainfall.
Whenever a storm threatens your area, always be sure to keep an eye on the forecast to see what rainfall impacts might be heading your way, and how you can prepare for them.