Central U.S. – Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur dumped more than a foot of rain in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, triggering flash flood emergencies and rescues. Forecasters say the immediate risk may ease by Father’s Day, but rainfall and potential flooding are expect
Rain kept coming after the sky should have cleared in South Louisiana—then it kept moving. The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered the region with tornado damage. flash flooding. and dangerous canal overflow conditions. sending residents into emergency rescues and leaving streets and highways nearly impassable.
In Cottonport. Louisiana. more than 29 inches of rain fell on June 18 and 19. with much of it dropping within just 12 hours. according to Scott Kleebauer. a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. The heavy rain—driven in part by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur—soaked a wide stretch of the Southeast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle. bringing flash flood emergencies. washing out roads. and forcing rescues.
The immediate deluge is forecast to calm by Father’s Day, but the danger isn’t finished. Rainfall and potential flooding are expected across parts of the Central U.S. into early next week, extending the disruption beyond the area hit hardest last week.
The storm’s punch was measurable and brutal. Highway 49 in Mississippi was covered with up to three feet of water. stranding cars. and homes and businesses were flooded in Seminary. Mississippi. Water rescues were also reported in Mobile, Alabama. The moisture is expected to linger through at least June 20.
Rain totals underline how fast things changed. In Louisiana, totals included 29.06 inches in Cottonport, 22.53 inches in Plaucheville, and 17.66 inches at the Atchafalaya River at Simmesport. In Mississippi, totals included 12.39 inches in Perkinston and 12.36 inches at Black Creek. In Texas, 11.41 inches fell in Village Mills. In Florida, 7.42 inches were reported in Inlet Beach.
Even as the flood threat evolves, heat is adding strain to communities already dealing with wet, damaged conditions. A heat wave left more than 40 million people under heat advisories and warnings amid Juneteenth celebrations. Temperatures are expected to be not quite as hot over the weekend. with few. if any. records forecast to be broken. Kleebauer said.
The forecast threads two risks together as the calendar turns. On June 20, a moderate risk of flooding is possible in the four corners area of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. Then. by June 22. temperatures are expected to soar in parts of Oregon and Washington. with possible highs of 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.
Over the middle of the week of June 23. near to below-normal temperatures are forecast for much of the eastern two-thirds of the country as a summer cold front moves through. High heat and humidity are expected to continue in Texas. along the Gulf Coast. and in Florida. with heat risk values forecast to be moderate to major. Across the West. above-normal temperatures and dry conditions are expected. with highs climbing into the 110s in parts of the Desert Southwest midweek.
The sequence is stark: heavy rain that already overwhelmed roads and neighborhoods is forecast to ease locally, but it’s shifting into a broader regional risk window—at the same time that a separate wave of heat remains active across much of the country.
Tropical Storm Arthur remnants flash flooding National Weather Service Central U.S. flooding risk Cottonport Louisiana rainfall heat wave advisories Juneteenth heat Kansas Nebraska Iowa Missouri flooding forecast