Flood threat eyes Louisiana following days of drenching rain in Florida

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

August 11,2016; 6:42PM,EDT

 

 

A slow-moving storm system will spread the risk of flooding downpours westward along the central Gulf of Mexico coast into the weekend.
Areas from Mobile, Alabama, to Biloxi, Mississippi, and New Orleans will receive several inches of rain from repeating showers and thunderstorms.
"A general 3-6 inches of rain will fall from the southern Alabama to southeastern Louisiana with local amounts potentially topping 8 inches," according to AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist Alex Avalos.

"Rainfall rates will be high enough to cause flooding in low-lying areas, along small streams, bayous and perhaps some of the rivers," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Becky Elliott.
In some cases, a couple of inches of rain could fall in as many hours.
New Orleans has an extensive pumping system to handle heavy rainfall, but some of the other towns and cities along the central Gulf coast could take on water for a time.
Motorists should prepare for excess water on area highways, including Interstate 10, I-20, I-55 and I-65. Slowing down during heavy rain will reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
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Even though the structure of the storm is vastly different when compared to a tropical system, the result will continue to be nearly the same as a slow-moving tropical depression or tropical storm along the Gulf coast in terms of rainfall.
People wanting to spend time at the beach will have to make alternative plans.
The storm has unloaded a foot of rain on parts of Florida so far this week and will continue to tap into tropical moisture through the upcoming weekend. More than 8 inches of rain has fallen on Cross City, Florida, with nearly 5 inches of rain falling in 24 hours earlier this week. Hatchbend, Florida, located a few miles northeast of Cross City, has received 12.40 inches of rain from the storm.
While the greatest risk of flooding will be concentrated near the central Gulf coast through Friday, highly localized flash flooding can also occur hundreds of miles to the north.
Most of the large rivers, such as the Mississippi and Pearl, will handle the rainfall with no trouble.
During the weekend, the storm system and the core of the heavy rain will begin to move northward toward the Ohio Valley with the risk of flash flooding.
Content contributed by Andy Mussoline, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist