Flood Threat Spreads From Texas and Louisiana to the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes Early Week

August 14,2016
The potential for additional heavy rain and flooding is spreading north and east into the Ozarks, Ohio Valley, and southern Great Lakes to start the week. More locally heavy rain will also affect parts of the water-logged Gulf Coast where historic flooding has occurred the last several days.
(NEWS + PHOTOS: Evacuations, Rescues as Deadly, Torrential Rains Flood Louisiana, Mississippi)
At least four locations in Louisiana have seen more than 2 feet of rain dating back to last week with the highest amount being 31.39 inches near Watson. Record flooding has been observed on at least six river gauges in Louisiana.
Below is the flood forecast into early this week followed by a recap of this historic flood event so far.

Current Radar, Watches and Warnings.

Forecast: Heavy Rain Moving North, East; Persists Near Gulf Coast

Tropical moisture and upper-level energy associated with the record flooding that we've seen near the Gulf Coast will get pulled northeast the next couple of days. That moisture and energy will interact with a stalled front draped from the Ohio Valley southwestward into Texas, fueling additional bouts of heavy rain.
Flash flood watches have been posted from parts of southeast Texas, Louisiana and southwest Mississippi into parts of the mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and the southern Great Lakes.

Current Flash Flood Alerts

Heavy rainfall began to accumulate Saturday from southern Missouri to Illinois. Route 51 and state route 154 between Pinckneyville and Tamaroa, Illinois, was covered in flood waters on Saturday evening. 7.91 inches of rain was reported in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in the 24 hours ending 6 a.m. CDT Sunday.

Rainfall Forecast Through Wednesday

From Arkansas to Indiana, 3 to 5 inches of additional rain is expected the next few days, with locally higher amounts up to 8 inches possible.
Additional rounds of locally heavy rain will also impact the Gulf Coast states, including Louisiana, southeast Texas and southwest Mississippi. Bursts of heavy rain could unleash several inches in a short period of time.
Cities: Little Rock | Memphis | Louisville | Cincinnati | Pittsburgh

Historic Flooding Recap

Here are some of the notables about this flood event so far.
Rainfall Totals So Far: 
The highest storm total report as of Sunday morning was 31.39 inches near Watson, Louisiana, according to NOAA.
Additional totals through Sunday morning from NOAA:

• 27.47 inches near Brownfields, Louisiana
• 26.26 inches in Monticello, Louisiana
• 22.84 inches in Gloster, Mississippi
• 21.56 inches near Jackson, Louisiana
• 19.14 inches in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Record daily rainfall on Friday and Saturday)
• 14.43 inches in Panama City, Florida

Estimated Rainfall Past 3 Days

River Levels:
At least six river gauges have seen record crests in Louisiana, some by a large margin. Here are the records set as of Sunday morning.

• Comite River at Comite Joor Road: Record crest set by 4+ feet (was near crest Sunday AM)
• Amite River at Magnolia: Record crest set by 6+ feet on Saturday
• Amite River at Denham Springs: Record crest by 4+ feet (was near crest Sunday AM)
• Amite River Basin at Bayou Mancha Near Little Prairie: Was at record crest as of Sunday AM
• Tangipahoa River at Robert: Record crest set on Saturday
• Tickfaw River at Holden: Record crest set on Saturday

Two additional river gauges were forecast to see record crests as of Sunday morning.

• Amite River at Port Vincent: Record crest possible Sunday into Monday
• Amite River at Bayou Manchac Point: Record crest possible Sunday

MORE: Louisiana, Mississippi Floods - August 12-13, 2016