WeatherFanatics: Heavy Rain, Flooding Spreads Across Southeast

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Heavy Rain, Flooding Spreads Across Southeast

By Brian Lada, Meteorologist

April 18,2014; 9:18PM,EDT

A low pressure system has begun to spread heavy rain over parts of the Southeast, bringing the risk of flooding to the area.
Folks with outdoor plans will need their umbrellas and raincoats as this steady, soaking rain spreads over the area through Saturday.
Slower traffic can be expected for motorists, including those traveling along the I-10, I-95 and I-75 corridors. Airline passengers should prepare for possible flight delays.
Stronger thunderstorms will also bring the threat of severe weather to the Florida Peninsula through Friday night.

With several inches of rain on the way, flooding can turn into a major problem given the rain that has recently fallen across the region. As of late Friday evening, flooding was reported across Walton County, Fla. and throughout Alabama.
Heavy rain totaling 5.25 inches was reported in Milton, Fla., along with 5.17 inches in Florala, Ala. by 7 p.m. EDT, according to NWS observations.
With more rain in store for the same area, streams and rivers still running above normal will likely rise due to the new influx of water.
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If you come across a road with water flowing over it due to flooding, you should try and find a new route to your destination rather than attempting to drive through the water.
The flowing water may turn out to be deeper than it appears and can be powerful enough to lift and move your vehicle.
Officials have already been forced to close numerous roads in the western Florida Panhandle and neighboring parts of Alabama.

Cooler weather also accompanied the storm with temperatures more than 10 degrees below normal through Friday.
This cooler weather is expected to carry over into Saturday where the rain persists with the lowest temperatures focusing from North Carolina to central Georgia.
Drier conditions are in store for Easter Sunday across much of the Southeast and continue into the start of next week, giving residents a break from the rain.
The only exception to the dry forecast for Easter Sunday will be along the Southeast coast as clouds and some rain linger.