Flash flood threat reignites across the Southeast after Texas water rescues as rain brings drought relief
Another wave of tropical moisture has surged back into the region, just days before the start of Atlantic hurricane season, prompting rounds of rain into next week.
Flash flood threat renews across the Southeast as rain brings needed drought relief
The weather pattern that triggered water rescues in Texas earlier this week has shifted eastward, with a flash flood threat covering more than 50 million people across a broad swath of the Southeast, including South Florida, through Friday morning.
The weather pattern that triggered water rescues in Texas earlier this week has shifted eastward, with a flash flood threat covering more than 50 million people across a broad swath of the Southeast, including South Florida, through Friday morning.
Another wave of tropical moisture has surged back into the region, just days before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, prompting rounds of rain into next week.
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Tennessee State Road 160 flooded in Cocke County.
(@MarkNagiTDOT/X / FOX Weather)
However, despite the flood threat, this latest round of storms will continue to put a dent in rain deficits across the drought-stricken Southeast, including parts of Georgia and Florida that are still battling historic dry spells.
WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
Flash Flood Warnings were issued early Thursday in Cocke and Greene counties in East Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Transportation shut down part of State Route 160 and posted an image of powerful floodwaters spilling over the road.
![Three men rescued from floodwaters in Williamson County, Texas, outside of Florence overnight Wednesday.]()
Image 1 of 3Three men rescued from floodwaters in Williamson County, Texas, outside of Florence overnight Wednesday. (TexasGameWardens/X)
![Three men rescued from floodwaters in Williamson County, Texas, outside of Florence overnight Wednesday.]()
Image 2 of 3Three men rescued from floodwaters in Williamson County, Texas, outside of Florence overnight Wednesday. (TexasGameWardens/X)
![Flooding in Williamson County Wednesday.]()
Image 3 of 3Flooding in Williamson County Wednesday. (Williamson County Emergency Services/Facebook)
That comes after at least three men were rescued from flash flooding in Williamson County, Texas, about 45 miles north of Austin, early Wednesday.
WATCH: FIRST RESPONDERS RESCUE INFANT AFTER CAR IS TRAPPED IN RUSHING TEXAS FLOODWATER
Officials said they deployed water rescue teams late Tuesday as the Berry Creek overflowed its banks. One person had to be hoisted to safety by helicopter.
Strong wind gusts knocked over at least one RV in an RV park earlier in the afternoon, according to county emergency services.
Rushing floodwaters surrounded the stranded vehicle at a low-lying crossing, immobilizing the sedan and trapping its occupants — a driver and an infant.
(Beeville Police Department / FOX Weather)
On Tuesday, numerous reports of flash flooding came in across San Antonio and southern Texas, while severe storms also rocked portions of the region, with wind gusts topping 70 mph, specifically in Batesville, Texas, and several reports of hail exceeding 2 inches in diameter.
That follows an initial round of rain that soaked much of Texas and the Southeast over the holiday weekend, triggered water rescues and led to a flood-related death in Mississippi on Monday.
Tropical downpours to soak Southeast into next week
Another wave of tropical moisture from the Gulf is surging across the Southeast Thursday as the flash flood threat shifts eastward.
(FOX Weather)
A broad Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat stretches from eastern Kansas southward to parts of the Gulf Coast and eastward to the Atlantic coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.
Storms are forecast to develop throughout the day Thursday, tapping into that rich tropical moisture capable of producing heavy rainfall.
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(FOX Weather)
A Level 1 flash flood threat also covers parts of Florida’s Atlantic coast and areas inland on Thursday from Sebastian southward, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
By Friday, the front responsible for these storms will stall over the region, leading to days of tropical downpours.
The FOX Forecast Center expects rainfall totals exceeding 2 to 3 inches along the immediate Carolinas and Georgia coastlines beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend.
(FOX Weather)
While saturated soils from last week's precipitation increase the risk of more flash flooding, storms will help provide drought relief, particularly for Florida, where many municipalities remain 5 to 14 inches below their average rainfall since last August.
Check back for updates on this developing story.