Catastrophic Flooding Possible As Potentially Historic Rainfall Totals Soak Mid-South, Ohio Valley

The Dangers Of Driving Through A Flooded Road

Potentially catastrophic flooding could occur in the mid-South and Ohio Valley regions as multiple bouts of extreme rainfall impact those regions into the weekend.

Rainfall totals could reach 10 inches or more in what some National Weather Service offices are calling a "particularly dangerous situation" that will produce life-threatening flash flooding as well as major, potentially record river flooding.

Forecast

-What's Happening: A cold front will stall out, and with Gulf moisture feeding northward, a serious multiday flood threat will play out. The storm system responsible for this flood threat is the same one that's also bringing severe weather to the Midwest and South this week.

-Where And When: Multiple rounds of rain will soak an area from northeast Texas to portions of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys through Saturday. That includes Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati and many other cities.

Flood watches have been issued by the National Weather Service across these regions, which means flooding is possible for multiple days. Embedded in this area is a "particularly dangerous situation" flood watch for much of Arkansas and neighboring parts of Tennessee, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and western Kentucky.

Both flash flooding and flooding of rivers, creeks and streams will occur. Some rivers are expected to reach major flood stage and could rise to record levels in some tributaries, but not either the mainstem Mississippi or Ohio Rivers.

-What To Do: If you encounter a flooded road, don't attempt to drive through it. It only takes about 1 foot of water to float a car or small SUV. Once your vehicle floats, you've lost control. Not only that, the road under the floodwaters may have been washed away.

If you live in a flood-prone area, be sure to stay alert for the latest National Weather Service flood watches and warnings and know where to head to higher ground if needed. Follow the advice of local officials if you are ordered to evacuate.

Chris Dolce has been a senior digital meteorologist with weather.com for nearly 15 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.