Flash Flooding in Parts of the US

Catastrophic Flash Flooding: Monday night (07/25/22) a catastrophic flash flooding event unraveled across parts of Missouri and Illinois. Dumping heavy rainfall with estimated rainfall totals from radar around 10 - 14 inches. Multiple interstates turned to rivers, dozens of water rescues and sadly one death. 

The first Flash Flood Warning was issued at 1:03am, then the first Flash Flood Emergency was issued at 3:36am Tuesday morning. Flash Flood Emergency is the highest flash flood alert that can be issued by the NWS. 

Why did this Happen? In the summer time, some storms do not have a lifting mechanism. That is why in parts of the South and Southeast do not have tornadoes in the summer is because a lifting mechanism is not present. Here in Alabama we are no stranger to flash flooding in the summer. Storms in the summer time do a thing called "Training effect". That is where showers and thunderstorms just keep going over the same areas. A good visual for this weather phenomenon is like a train and the cars connecting to the train. Consider the thunderstorms train cars, they will travel over the same areas until either, one they rain their self out (which is usually what happens here in Central Alabama) or they finally move and collapse. 

Flooding Threat Over? Sadly, the answer is no! The flash flooding threat will continue for some of the same areas for the next few days. How much rainfall could be expected? Rainfall totals for the next 7 days are between 2 - 7 inches. Eastern Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia, looks to be the hot spot with totals in those areas around 3 - 7 inches. Southern Missouri and Southern Illinois could receive an additional 2 - 4 inches, which is what they do not need! 

Monsoon Season: We are also now in the Monsoon season now for parts of the Southwest US. Rainfall totals there anywhere from 1-5 inches possible for the next 5 days. Tucson, AZ and the mountainous regions from Northern New Mexico through Denver, CO could get the brunt of the rainfall. 

Drought Conditions: The monsoon season will hopefully allow the drought situation in the Southwest US to lower some with the expected rainfall over the next 5 days, with parts of the Southwest in Extreme and Severe drought. Drought conditions for parts of Southern Missouri, Western Tennessee, Northern Arkansas and extending into parts of Oklahoma are in the Severe drought category. 




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