Storms to soak Southeast for 12th straight day as flooding swamps North Carolina
Flash flooding will again be a concern since soils are saturated throughout the region. As a result, Flood Watches have been issued from southwestern Virginia to northern Florida.
North Carolina residents clean up after Tuesday's flooding
FOX News multimedia reporter Austin Westfall provides the latest details after flooding prompted evacuations in Kannapolis, North Carolina, on Tuesday.
A stagnant weather pattern will lead to the 12th day in a row of showers and thunderstorms across the soaked Southeast on Wednesday.
The FOX Forecast Center said a cutoff area of low pressure will remain nearly stationary across the region for the rest of the week. This will provide the necessary trigger for showers and thunderstorms, which will combine with a stream of deep moisture from the Atlantic to produce heavy rainfall.
Flash flooding will again be a concern since soils are saturated throughout the region. As a result, Flood Watches have been issued from southwestern Virginia to northern Florida.
(FOX Weather)
"The ground is completely saturated," FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "It's like a wet towel. You throw water on top of that. It's kind of like when my 3-year-old goes into the shower and blocks the drain. That's exactly what's happening. Unfortunately, there's just nowhere for the water to go."
While a strong storm or two can't be ruled out, the severe weather threat isn't particularly high.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center said the most widespread thunderstorms are expected in Florida and South Georgia, where a level 1 out of 5 risk of severe storms has been issued, particularly from late morning through late afternoon.
(FOX Weather)
Overall, between 3 and 5 inches of rain is expected for most of the region, but some locations could receive nearly 8 inches of rainfall by the end of the week.
"It does look like we're going to see a lot more on top of Georgia and also the Florida Panhandle today," Merwin said. "We're in the thick of summer travel season, so seeing Atlanta right in the middle of that, you know, the fact that we could see some delays at the airports is something to point out."
PEAK FLASH FLOOD SEASON IN U.S. BEGINS IN JUNE
(FOX Weather)
On Tuesday, 30 people had to be rescued from their flooded mobile homes in Kannapolis, North Carolina, just northeast of Charlotte. Officials there warned residents of continued flooding concerns as the Lake Kannapolis Dam continues to spill water into the creek – leaving downstream locations in danger.
People are rescued from their flooded homes in Kannapolis, North Carolina, on June 20, 2023.
(City of Kannapolis, North Carolina)