More than 80 million Americans from Texas to Illinois are under threat from dangerous flooding as hurricane-fueled storms bring torrential rain to the central United States.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Flood Watches Thursday morning for eight states: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Colorado. Downpours could overwhelm drainage systems, inundate roads and send rivers and creeks over their banks.
Dallas, Austin and San Antonio are at the center of the greatest flash-flood risk Thursday, according to meteorologists.
The NWS warned of “life-threatening flooding” in south-central Texas, where some isolated locations could receive as much as eight inches of rain.
The Flood Watch remains in effect across the region through Friday evening. Residents in flood-prone areas are being urged to follow updated forecasts and be ready to act if water levels begin to rise.
A prolonged flood threat is expected across the central US this week as a deep dip in the jet stream pulls moisture inland from Hurricane Rachel in the Pacific.
The same weather pattern that pushed Polo northward brought soaking rain to parts of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and central Texas from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
FOX Weather meteorologists said nearly 70 trillion gallons of water could fall by the end of the week—an amount that could fill more than 122 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Flood Watches Thursday morning for eight states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska (pictured), Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Colorado
More than 150 million people across the Southwest, Plains and Midwest could face dangerous flash flooding as the threat continues through the week, FOX Weather reported.
The NWS said Texas could see potentially life-threatening flooding, with isolated rainfall totals reaching eight inches in south-central areas and exceeding eight inches farther west.
In west-central Texas, the agency cautioned that flash flooding was likely and could become considerable, creating “an increased danger to lives and property.”
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Flood Watches remain in place through late Thursday night in west-central Texas, until Friday morning around Dallas and Fort Worth, and through Friday evening around Austin, San Antonio and parts of South Texas.
Communities in Oklahoma, including Ardmore, Shawnee and Durant, remain under a Flood Watch until 1pm CT Thursday. An additional one to three inches of rain is possible.
Some areas of Kansas and Nebraska have already recorded two to six inches of rain or more.
More heavy rain and rising rivers could cause further flooding across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Some river watches are expected to remain in effect into Saturday.
Southern Colorado is under a Flood Watch until noon MT Thursday, including the Aspen Acres burn area.
Parts of Kansas and Nebraska (pictured) have already recorded two to six inches of rain or more
Forecast models show rain continuing Thursday and into Friday, while flash-flood warnings remain possible
The storms affecting the US are being fueled by Hurricane Rachel (pictured) in the Pacific Ocean and remnants of last week’s Hurricane Polo
Forecasters warned that rivers could continue rising after the rain stops and urged people in flood-prone areas to monitor forecasts and prepare to act if flooding develops.
The NWS warned that runoff could make low-water crossings along the Devils, West Nueces and South Llano rivers impassable for hours.
Rapid rises could threaten downstream communities, while campers and hikers were advised to avoid streams and creeks. Drivers were told to turn around at flooded roads because most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
