Severe weather eyes southern US overnight as multiday flood threat unfolds for millions
Portions of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi could see well over 5 inches of rain, with some spots potentially picking up 8 inches or more.
Major flash flood threat brewing in South as torrential rain, severe weather pounds region
Flood Watches are in effect across several states in the South as the region gets slammed with relentless rain and severe weather, and more precipitation is on the way. FOX Weather Meteorologists Bob Van Dillen and Marissa Torres break down the latest forecast on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Millions of people in the southern Plains and along the Gulf Coast will be keeping a close eye on the forecast this week as the region faces a major flash flood threat, as well as a severe weather risk, fueled by a stubborn "Omega block" weather pattern.
An Omega block is named after the Greek letter Ω and disrupts the usual zonal flow of weather systems.
The FOX Forecast Center said a large area of low pressure is expected to enter the region on Monday. That will pull in moisture from the Gulf and push it northward into the southern Plains before moving into the Gulf Coast region as the week continues.
Very large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes will all be possible within thunderstorms that develop through Monday night into early Tuesday. The cities with the highest tornado threat include Midland and Odessa in Texas.
The area of low pressure is situated over the Desert Southwest and will drift off to the east, providing a favorable setup for heavy rain from the New Mexico border into areas of the Texas Panhandle.
That region is expected to experience relentless rain and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
Rainfall totals of 2-4 inches are possible over a broad area, with some locally higher amounts possible.
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Tuesday is expected to see more flooding impacts, prompting NOAA's Weather Prediction Center to place parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi at a Level 3 out of 4 risk of flash flooding.
However, there remains some uncertainty about where the heaviest rain will fall. Some computer forecast models show a faster progression with the system, shifting the higher rainfall totals to the east. Other models show the heaviest rain remaining over East Texas and northern Louisiana.
Because of the flood threat, officials in some Louisiana communities have announced they will provide sandbags for residents to prepare. Sandbags will be offered to residents in New Iberia and St. Landry Parish, starting Monday.
"We urge residents to monitor local weather updates and take necessary precautions to protect their homes and property," St. Landry Parish officials said.
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By Wednesday, the flash flood threat will shift to the central Gulf Coast, where a Level 2 out of 4 threat exists. The heavy rain could continue along the Gulf Coast and into parts of the Southeast by Thursday, possibly into the start of the weekend.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
The highest rainfall totals are expected to be found from East Texas through Alabama.
However, portions of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi could see well over 5 inches of rain, with some spots potentially picking up 8 inches or more.
HOW HEAVY IS IT REALLY GOING TO RAIN?
Severe weather threat continues Tuesday
On Tuesday, more than 38 million people in the country will face a severe weather threat, but just over 17 million in Texas and Louisiana have been placed in a Level 2 out of 5 threat.
Tuesday's threat includes cities such as Dallas, Houston and Waco in Texas.