Flash flood threat: Mid-Mississippi Valley to Ohio Valley thru Friday

The wild weather continues across the nation. After two tornadoes touched down in the Los Angeles area and heavy snow fell over the Four Corner and the Rockies, severe weather is now on the board for the southern Central Plains on Thursday and for the Mississippi River Valley on Friday. As the system moves slowly east heavy rains will affect Oklahoma through southern Ohio.

Widespread downpours will lead to the possibility of flash flooding through Friday night. This threat comes from an intensifying storm emerging from the Rockies on Thursday. Heavy rain will get started across eastern Oklahoma on Thursday as severe storms could also develop in this area too. This system will be moving rather slowly as it becomes stronger. Deep moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico will feel the instability and dump rounds after rounds of rain.

The low-pressure system emerging from the Rockies drags a cold front over Texas, but to its northeast, there is a semi-stationary front that will bring unstable conditions through the Ohio Valley. Residents and visitors in the area should expect heavy rounds of rain also starting on Thursday.

A flood watch is in effect for eastern Oklahoma, northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, and northern Kentucky. This means that floods are possible to develop within the next 36 hours. But keep in mind that flash floods could develop suddenly in the same area under a watch as storms could run over the same areas again, and again.

The forecast calls for 3 to 4 inches of rain, but some areas could receive above 5 inches of rain across many locations in the area highlighted.

The danger will not only come from heavy rain piling up but also from rivers that could rise out of their banks threatening homes nearby.

If you live in a flood prone area you should really avoid it during the next two days. Floods could develop fast and put your life in danger. Also avoid crossing flooded areas.