Feb 18, 2012; 7:43 AM ET
A developing storm system set to ignite severe weather across the central Gulf Coast today and a significant snowstorm over the mid-Atlantic on Sunday is producing torrential rain over the Lone Star State this morning.
About 1 to 2 inches of rain has already fallen over several locations in Texas within the past 12 hours. Moreover, Houston, Orange and Waco all have received rainfall above of the 2-inch mark.
The torrential rainfall has also caused areas of flash flooding across central and northeastern Texas. High water has forced law enforcement and emergency management officials to close roads in around Austin.
Enough rain will fall with the storm system this weekend to cause urban flooding problems.
Residents in New Orleans, La., Mobile, Ala. and Tallahassee, Fla. and
other cities and communities should be prepared for rapidly changing
weather conditions and should heed any severe storm or flash flood
related warnings.
The primary threats with these storms will be blinding downpours and strong, potentially damaging wind gusts.
Extremely heavy rain that falls in a very short time period is
capable of producing additional flash flooding from the I-10 to the I-20
corridor and will reach at least as far north as Jackson, Miss.,
Birmingham, Ala., Atlanta, Ga. and Columbia, S.C.
Low lying and poor drainage areas are especially at risk.
A general 2- to 4 inches of rain is expected over much of the Deep
South through Sunday morning. A few locations can receive up to 6 inches
of rain.
Flash flooding is extremely dangerous and should not be taken
lightly. A foot of fast-moving water is capable of sweeping away cars
and other large objects.
If you find yourself driving towards a water-covered roadway, turn
around and find an alternative route. Do not put yourself and rescuers
at risk.
Despite the flash flooding and the threat for severe thunderstorms
this morning, the rain that falls will continue to help improve the
ongoing exceptional drought that grips much of the state.
A large storm system will continue to press eastward today, setting
the stage for additional heavy rain and even strong-to-severe
thunderstorms along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
Ample moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a fast-moving jet stream
higher up in the atmosphere are providing the necessary ingredients for a
significant heavy rain event today into tonight.
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