Millions on Gulf Coast Brace for Flooding as Tropical System Nears: Live Weather Updates
08:59 AM EDT
Gulf Coast braces for flooding as tropical system stalls near shore
A sprawling storm system hovering over the Gulf Coast is threatening to unleash torrential rain and flash flooding across the Southeast, from eastern Texas to the Florida panhandle. Though unlikely to develop into Tropical Storm Dexter due to disruptive upper-level winds, the system's slow movement and moisture-rich core could still produce dangerous conditions.
Forecasters warn that southern Louisiana, including New Orleans, could see over a foot of rain if the system stalls near the coast. Rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour may overwhelm drainage infrastructure in already saturated areas. A Level 3 flood risk is in effect Thursday for south-central Louisiana, with a Level 2 risk stretching across the broader Gulf Coast through Friday.
The storm has already drenched parts of Florida, dropping nearly a foot of rain in Tampa and breaking records in Daytona Beach. In anticipation, New Orleans officials have opened sandbag distribution sites and closed city buildings to prepare for the worst.
Despite its disorganized structure, the system remains a serious flood threat in a summer already marked by deadly deluges. Emergency responders are urging residents to stay alert as the storm continues to churn inland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chances Of Tropical Development Near The Lesser Antilles This Week Remain Slim
We're watching for development of a tropical wave in the middle of the Atlantic into what could be the season's next tropical depression or storm, however, the chances remain slim. The disorganized wave is located well over 500 miles east of Barbados, or roughly halfway between the Lesser Antilles and Africa. It has winds of up to 40 mph in a small area of thunderstorms near the wave axis. (MORE: What is a Tropical Wave?) Conditions are marginally favorable for further development as this wave moves westward at 10 mph. For now, the threat of this disturbance becoming anything more than a rainmaker is low. This is not a threat to the United States. It will be guided along the southern periphery of the Bermuda High on a westward path. The tropical wave will reach the Caribbean around Thursday. By the time it nears the Caribbean, wind shear is expected to increase, making it more difficult to produce dangerous conditions and intensify. Several inches of rain are likely on the islands that this disturbance passes over. An increase in swells and rip current potential are expected late week near the Lesser Antilles. These effects may be confined to a smaller area given the wave's smaller size. Computer models are not currently expecting much sustained intensification near the islands, so wind may not be a major threat there. We'll keep an eye on it. The next tropical storm will be named "Dexter." (MORE: From Thunderstorms To Major Storm: The Life Cycle Of A Hurricane) Nearing August: Tropical Wave Development Typically Increases There is a notable increase in tropical activity in the southern Atlantic throughout late July and into early August. This is because dusty, dry, Saharan air – one of the Atlantic's biggest limiting factors – typically disperses and allows tropical waves to produce tall thunderstorms. These thunderstorms lead to a healthier system and could eventually lead to the formation of a tropical depression or storm. At the same time, water temperatures are often near their annual peak and wind shear is often decreasing. Development chances also increase in the Gulf and western Atlantic as we approach August. Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Chances increase for a tropical storm system over northern Florida
A disorganized low-pressure area that's moving over northern Florida is showing increasing chances of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm later in the week, the National Hurricane Center said. Even now, it's already having an influence on Florida weather with isolated torrential rain. "This system is currently producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity," the hurricane center said the afternoon of July 15. However, "little development is expected through tonight while the center is over land." As a high-pressure system over the northeastern Gulf drifts slowly westward on July 15, it will provide an opening for the system that's over Florida to "mosey westward," said the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. Once the disturbance moves off Florida's west coast and along the northern Gulf coast, it may encounter more favorable conditions and could strengthen into a potential tropical cyclone later in the week, said Jeffrey Lewitski, one of the center's lead forecasters in a discussion the evening of July 14. The center has upped the chances of the system becoming a tropical depression or storm to 40% by Wednesday and 40% through Sunday. Regardless of its chances of becoming the season's fourth named tropical storm, the low-pressure area is forecast to create unsettled weather over Florida as it moves westward to northwestward over the Gulf. "Some areas will receive multiple rounds of rain for the next couple of days which can lead to localized flooding," said the weather service office in the Ruskin/Tampa Bay. The evening of July 14, a deluge was reported in at least two locations in the Plant City area east of Tampa, the weather service said. A gauge at the Plant City Police Department recorded 10.62 inches, and a gauge four miles east-southeast of the city reported 9.38 inches of rain. Up to another inch of rain was expected and the weather service advised people to monitor weather alerts and not to drive into a flooded roadway, especially at night, when water over a road can be notoriously hard to see and can carry a vehicle away when it's moving quickly. Florida to see rain regardless of storm development The bulk of the rain is forecast to fall across Central Florida, north and west of Lake Okeechobee, the weather service said. The disturbance also will increase winds over the Gulf and increase the chances of rough surf and dangerous rip currents for the latter part of the week and possibly the weekend, the hurricane center said. What would the potential system be named? If a tropical storm develops, it would be the fourth of the 2025 hurricane season, which started June 1, and would be named Dexter. Tropical Storm Chantal: Multiple fatalities reported in North Carolina flooding during Chantal Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about climate change, violent weather and other news. Reach her at dpulver@ or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Hurricane Center watches system over northern Florida Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Tropical storm Wipha threatens southern China after slamming Taiwan and the Philippines
A tropical storm that prompted flight and ferry cancellations in Taiwan is forecast to reach typhoon strength before hitting the southern China coast on Sunday. The storm earlier crossed the Philippines, where a parked truck was crushed by a billboard-like structure that was toppled by high winds in Quezon City, north of Manila. Wipha had maximum sustained winds of 101 kph (63 mph) and gusts up to 126 kph (78 mph) as it passed south of Taiwan on Saturday, the island's Central News Agency said. More than 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rain was recorded in Hualien and Taitung counties on Taiwan's east coast, the news agency said. Several domestic flights were canceled and service on 14 ferry routes was suspended because of rough seas and strong winds. On the other side of the Taiwan Strait, many ferries suspended service in Fujian province on China's east coast. The storm, the sixth of the season in the western Pacific, is forecast to reach typhoon strength before passing near Hong Kong overnight. It is expected to bring heavy rain along China's southern coast and then weaken as it heads west to Vietnam and Laos. In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific said that all flights arriving or departing between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time on Sunday would be canceled or delayed. The airline is waiving ticket change fees, it said. The Hong Kong Observatory warned of gale-force or higher winds and possible flooding in low-lying coastal areas because of storm surges. A 30-kilometer (18-mile) bridge that crosses the water between Hong Kong and Macao will be closed overnight, Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK reported. Authorities in Hainan province, a Chinese island that is a popular beach resort, said that three ports would suspend operations starting Saturday night in Haikou, the provincial capital. In 2023, a typhoon brought sustained heavy rains to southern China, triggering inundations in Hong Kong and other areas. Deluges around the city of Maoming in Guangdong province caused a lake at a commercial crocodile farm to overflow with over 70 animals escaping, local media reported.
