Heavy rains bring flash flooding threat to South; freezing rain, snow expected in Midwest

Anthony Robledo and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY
Updated ·4 min read

Heavy rainfall and the threat of flash flooding persists across the lower Mississippi Valley and much of the Southeast, the National Weather Service said Wednesday evening.

The weather service extended flood warnings in some areas as flash flooding was reported in counties in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Additional heavy rain and flooding is possible through Friday, with a front expected to drift over the region and possibly stall across the southern Appalachians and lower Mississippi River valley, raising flood concerns from Louisiana into southeastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia.

On Wednesday, the weather service reported:

  • More than six inches of rain was reported over 24 hours in Hazlehurst, Mississippi , flooding roads and businesses.

  • In Mandeville, Louisiana,between 4.5-6.5 inches of water was reported, causing “significant flooding” on roads.

  • Rain rates of 2 inches or more per hour were possible Wednesday night across southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, with the potential for an additional 4-6 inches of rain, threatening flash flooding in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Hattiesburg.

  • In the Houston area, major flooding is forecast this week on the Navidad River, the west fork of the San Jacinto River and the Trinity River, where the water could be within about two feet of its record, set in September 2017.

Elsewhere, meteorologists warned Wednesday that major flash flooding is possible in Rochester, Minnesota, and the Cleveland, Ohio, area, as rivers and creeks swell and rise.

In the Midwest and Great Lakes area, freezing rain and snow showers will spread into the Northeast on Wednesday afternoon with light accumulations expected, the weather service added.

A warmer air trend across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and East Coast will cause snow to melt through Friday with highs well into the 40s and 50s.

The Florida peninsula will see warmer weather through Friday, with temperatures reaching the low 80s.

Meanwhile, coastal rainfall and mountain snow began Tuesday night in the Pacific Northwest.

Flood warnings throughout Southeast

The torrential rain across the southern U.S. and Texas triggered flood warnings that will remain in effect throughout the remainder of the week.

The NWS warned of the possibility of flash floods across southeast Texas through Wednesday evening. The area south of San Antonio was also on alert for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday night, with forecasters warning of "golf ball-sized hail" in some counties.

Parts of Tennessee were also under a flood warning through Thursday afternoon. The NWS warned that some areas of Tennessee, including Memphis, could see up to six inches of rainfall this weekend.

The majority of Louisiana braced for possible excessive rainfall and the likelihood of flash floods on Wednesday. The area, which includes Baton Rouge and New Orleans, was also at slight risk of severe weather, including "damaging winds and isolated tornadoes," according to the New Orleans NWS.

Heavy Texas rain traps cars, triggers school closures

The deluge of rain Wednesday created chaos for Texas commuters and triggered some school closures in the state.

Heavy rainfall had parts of east and southeast Texas on alert for flooding. A police vehicle in San Antonio got stuck amid flooding on an access road to Interstate 35. The officer, who made it out safely, had been deployed to block traffic from the flooded area but ended up mired himself, police told KSAT 12.

All government buildings in Fayette County, between Houston and Austin, were shuttered on Wednesday in response to the rain. Schools in other rural counties around Austin shuttered after the area was hit with more than 8 inches of rain in 48 hours.

Mississippi hit with heavy rain

A swath of Mississippi and part of Louisiana could see up to six inches of rain with the possibility of flash flooding into Thursday.

Flash flooding caused by "excessive rainfall" is possible throughout Central Mississippi through Thursday afternoon, the NWS warned.

With a 100% chance of rain on Wednesday, thunderstorms are expected to subject the area to heavy rain through Thursday, according to Accuweather.

Freezing rain and dense fog in Midwest

A dense fog descended over the Midwest as some areas braced for freezing rain on Wednesday.

The NWS urged drivers in northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana to drive slowly in the cloudy, foggy conditions expected through Thursday.

Commuters in Cleveland and parts of Ohio and into Detroit on Wednesday morning also encountered a dense fog with visibilities of just a quarter mile or less.

A bout of freezing rain was expected to pass through southwestern Wisconsin, northwestern Illinois, and eastern Iowa including Cedar Rapids on Wednesday morning.

Mississippi weather map

US weather watches and warnings

National weather radar

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter mix in Midwest forecast Wednesday, flash flooding in Southeast