Gulf Coast Flooding Still a Threat From Florida to Louisiana and Mississippi

August 11,2016
A days-long parade of soaking rain will continue along parts of the Gulf Coast, with the potential for more flash flooding from the western Florida panhandle to Mississippi and Louisiana.
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood watches from the western Florida panhandle to southeast Louisiana. This includes Biloxi, Mobile, and New Orleans.
On Thursday, water reportedly entered some homes near Gulfport, Mississippi, and Boutte, Louisiana, following heavy rainfall.
(FORECAST: Biloxi | Mobile | New Orleans)

Current Flood Watches and Warnings

An area of low pressure in the upper atmosphere and abundant tropical moisture are the ingredients for the locally heavy rain that we've seen the last few days along the Gulf.
This upper low has migrated slowly westward over time, gradually pulling the heavy rain threat westward along the northern Gulf Coast, and northward into the Lower Mississippi Valley.

Radar, Watches, and Warnings

(MORE: Where Flooding Has Been Most Frequent in the U.S.)

Rainfall Forecast and Impacts

A broad swath of 3 to 5-inch rain amounts is expected across the northern Gulf Coast, spreading northward into the Lower Mississippi Valley the next several days.
Keep in my that very heavy amounts could fall in short periods of time where any slow-moving or stationary downpours set up, quickly triggering dangerous local flash flooding. In those locations, rainfall totals may exceed 5 inches.

Rainfall Forecast

(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)
As always, you should never attempt to drive through floodwaters, period.
It's easy to misjudge the depth of floodwater, particularly at night. Sometimes the bridge or road masked by flood water may have been undermined or completely washed out.
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.
In addition, if you live in a home that is located in a flood-prone area, be sure to stay alert of any potential rising floodwaters.

Flooding Reports

Here is the rain that has already fallen:

Rainfall accumulation over the last seven days.

Heavy rain fell in Tallahassee, Florida, on Wednesday flooding a few streets.
On Tuesday evening, heavy rain flooded roads in Panama City, Florida, forcing some road closures. More than 6 inches of rain has fallen in parts of west-central and northwest Florida since this weekend. At least one location in northwest Florida has measured over a foot of rain
On Monday morning, numerous roads were flooded or closed in Perry, Florida. In just two hours the city received 4.5 inches of rainfall.
Up to 14 inches of rain was reported from Sunday until 4 p.m. Monday near Hatch Bend, Florida, which is located between Gainesville and Tallahassee.

MORE: West Virginia Flooding in June