A map from the National Weather Service (NWS) published on Tuesday shows dozens of states with a slight or marginal risk of excessive rainfall following a devastating period of flash flooding in Texas that killed more than 100 people.
Newsweek on Tuesday reached out to the NWS office in State College, Pennsylvania, which was among the regions issuing flash flood warnings and other severe-weather alerts, via phone for comment.
Why It Matters
The latest threats of excessive rainfall could bring more disaster to broad areas of the country, just days after the Hill Country of Central Texas experienced one of America’s deadliest flash floods in years.
Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. after extreme heat, with most fatalities occurring when vehicles are swept away by rising waters.
What To Know
On Tuesday afternoon, sporadic thunderstorm- and flood-related alerts were in place across the central portion of the U.S.
Alerts across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions were far more widespread. Numerous severe-weather alerts stretched from Virginia to New York, cautioning residents in affected regions about the dangers posed by such weather.
A map published by the NWS earlier Tuesday showed a slight risk—at least a 15 percent chance of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidelines—for 13 states.
States facing the highest risk, with regions noted, include eastern Oklahoma; Western Arkansas; far northeast Texas; northeastern Virginia; far eastern West Virginia; Maryland; Delaware; southeastern Pennsylvania; New Jersey; southern New York; Connecticut; Rhode Island; and Massachusetts.
A marginal risk—at least a 5 percent chance of excessive rainfall—was even more widespread. It includes the aforementioned states as well as parts of New Mexico; Nebraska; Kansas; Iowa; Missouri; Louisiana; Mississippi; Alabama; Illinois; Wisconsin; Indiana; Kentucky; Tennessee; Georgia; North Carolina; South Carolina; New Hampshire; and Maine.
Weather alerts across the Northeast warned that several inches of rain was expected. In some cases, storms are predicted to be capable of producing tornadoes.
What People Are Saying
NWS, in a post on Facebook: “Heavy to excessive rainfall is possible from portions of the Mid-Atlantic into southern New England, as well as eastern Oklahoma and the Ozarks today. A Slight Risk (level 2 of 4) of excessive rainfall has been issued for those areas.”
NWS office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, in a severe weather statement: “Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”
What Happens Next
Many of the weather alerts are expected to expire by Tuesday night, and recovery missions continue in Texas. Most flood warnings in the Lone Star State have been lifted.
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