Houston, Texas – Residents across the Gulf Coast should prepare now for a multi-day flooding threat as repeated rounds of tropical rainfall are expected to hammer parts of Texas and Louisiana through the week, with some areas facing rainfall totals measured in feet rather than inches.
According to the National Weather Service and National Water Center, considerable flash flooding and urban flooding are possible from southern and coastal Texas into southwest Louisiana through at least midweek. Rainfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour may develop in the strongest storms, creating the potential for rapidly flooded roads, neighborhoods and low-lying areas.
The greatest concern stretches from the Texas Hill Country through Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange into Lake Charles and southwest Louisiana. Forecast rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches are expected across much of the region, with localized amounts exceeding 10 inches. Some National Weather Service projections indicate isolated locations near the upper Texas coast and southwest Louisiana could approach 10 to 15 inches by the end of the week if storm bands repeatedly move across the same areas.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue through early Wednesday before a brief lull. Another, potentially more intense surge of tropical moisture is forecast to arrive Thursday into Saturday as a tropical disturbance moves northward across the Gulf of Mexico and toward the western Gulf Coast.
Urban flooding, flash flooding and rising rivers are all possible. Roads may become impassable with little warning, especially during periods of intense rainfall. Emergency managers urge residents to avoid flooded roadways, monitor forecasts closely and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.
The National Weather Service warns that flooding risks will increase with each passing day, and additional flood watches and warnings may be issued as the event unfolds across the Gulf Coast.
