Threat of Flooding and Severe Thunderstorms Spreads East Through the Holiday Weekend

July 3,2016
The threat for flooding rainfall and strong to severe thunderstorms will continue to spread east through the Fourth of July weekend. This stormy weather will impact many regions, including the Plains, Ohio Valley, mid-South, central Appalachians, and mid-Atlantic.
The National Weather Service has hoisted flash flood watches from eastern Kansas to West Virginia.
Saturday night, flash flooding was reported in the Wichita, Kansas, metro area. The fire department responded to numerous stalled out vehicles in the area. Other parts of Kansas and neighboring Missouri have also seen some road flooding.
(LATEST NEWS: Flooding strikes the Plains, Midwest)
Scattered severe thunderstorms are also possible Sunday into Monday. The main threats from any storms that do turn severe are damaging wind gusts and hail, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

Current Radar with Watches and Warnings

(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)

Heavy Rain and Flooding Forecast

Into Sunday night, the flood threat will spread eastward into parts of the Ohio Valley.
(MORE: Why Summer's Thunderstorm Clusters are Both Important and Dangerous
By the Fourth of July, the flood threat, unfortunately, spreads into the mid-Atlantic and Appalachians, including West Virginia. This forecast will need to be monitored closely after last week's third-deadliest flood event in West Virginia's history.
(MORE: The Most Extreme Rainfall in All 50 States)

Rainfall Forecast

Current Flood Alerts

Keep in mind with any rainfall forecast that locally much-higher amounts may occur over a much shorter period of time, where bands of rain or thunderstorm clusters stall, with the potential for triggering dangerous flash flooding.
Since this is a holiday weekend, travelers should be aware that flooding is a serious concern.
(MORE: At Least 234 People Have Been Killed By Flooding in the U.S. in Nearly 18 Months)
According to FEMA:
- 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and potential stalling.
- 1 foot of water will float many vehicles.
- 2 feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.
(MORE: Your Vehicle Can Be a Deadly Trap in a Flash Flood

Severe Thunderstorm Forecast

Below are the specifics on where severe thunderstorms will be a threat into Monday.
Sunday

• Forecast: Scattered severe storms are possible from parts of Oklahoma into the Ozarks and lower Ohio Valley.
• Threats: Damaging wind gusts and hail, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
• Cities: Paducah, Kentucky | Springfield, Missouri | Tulsa, Oklahoma

Sunday's Thunderstorm Forecast

Monday

• Forecast: Scattered severe storms are possible from the central Appalachians into the Ohio Valley and mid-South. A separate area of severe storms may develop in the southern High Plains.
• Threats: Damaging wind gusts and hail, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
• Cities: Charleston, West Virginia | Cincinnati, Ohio | Louisville, Kentucky

Monday's Thunderstorm Forecast

PHOTOS: Plains, Midwest Mid-June 2016 Severe Weather and Flooding