Flooding Concerns Continue in the Southeast

The southeast is bracing for more days of heavy rain, raising worries about flash floods and potentially interrupting another cherished summer weekend at local beaches.

A strong cold front, which has caused severe flooding in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions, is expected to move southeast this weekend and linger there next week.

It’s not likely that this front will shift back toward the Atlantic, the southeast coast, or even the Gulf Coast, depending on the prevailing atmospheric conditions.

“It’s the boundary created by warm sea surface temperatures,” noted Ian Oliver, a meteorologist. “If this persists for too long, there’s a chance for some tropical features to develop.”

That said, the potential for tropical development still appears low.

Nonetheless, this front is bringing significant moisture into the region, leading to heavy rainfall in the southeast.

The Fox Forecast Center predicts totals could reach 2-3 inches in many areas, with some spots possibly seeing 3-5 inches more.

NOAA’s Weather Forecast Center has adjusted its focus to the Georgia and South Carolina coasts, placing parts of the Carolinas at a Level 2 risk for flash floods as of Friday.

Especially vulnerable are coastal Carolina and the mountainous regions of northern and western South Carolina, where more than 3 inches of rain could fall in just six hours.

This includes cities like Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Bayne Froney, a meteorologist with Fox Weather, mentioned that Wilmington experienced ponding just 20 minutes into Friday’s rain.

Over the past month, tropical rains have consistently driven flooding across the southeastern states.

Earlier in July, Chantal made landfall along the South Carolina coast, followed by two other tropical disturbances that have swept through the area.

While the flood threat is expected to ease by Sunday, the overall outlook remains wet.