A big storm system is sweeping across the country and it’s bringing a lot of rain and severe weather, especially to the Ark-La-Tex area. People in this region are keeping a close eye on the skies, as the storm could cause serious flooding and strong thunderstorms later on Thursday.
As the day heats up, the storm is gaining more energy, making the threat of severe weather even worse. Strong winds, hail, and even the possibility of tornadoes are in the forecast. The Storm Prediction Center has put over 15 million people on alert for severe weather across five states, with over 1.5 million people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts of Arkansas facing a higher risk of bad weather. Cities like Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette in Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi are right in the storm’s path.
The Forecast Center says the worst of the storms is expected between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. CT. After sunset, the storms should start to die down as the sun’s heat no longer fuels them.
But it’s not just strong winds and hail people need to worry about. Flooding is also a huge concern. Heavy rain is expected to soak parts of the East Coast and Northeast as the storm moves east. Flood alerts are in effect for people living in ten states from Texas to Pennsylvania, and many areas are already seeing some major rainfall. Just this morning, parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex were hit with heavy rain and flash flooding, making for a tough commute. Flash Flood Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for parts of Texas, including Dallas, Arlington, and Plano. Some areas reported up to 4.5 inches of rain!
This storm is part of the same system that brought snow to the Southwest and Rockies and gave Southern California some much-needed rain earlier this week. As it moves east, more rain is expected, and people in affected areas should stay alert and be prepared for possible flooding.
