A slow moving area of low pressure is pulling tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico toward Louisiana and Eastern Texas. Continuing heavy rain is expected tonight in localized areas across the region. A state of emergency remains in effect through Louisiana, where excessive rainfall and flooding has occurred.
A deep moisture plume, sourced from the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, has been funneled onto the coast by a weak area of low pressure over the past several days. Earlier in the week, the big bend of Florida bore the brunt of the rain, with over 10″ of total rain in some areas. The impulse fueling these tropical downpours has shifted further west and is pulling the deepest moisture over Louisiana. Portions of Louisiana have already seen totals of over 20″ in just a 36 hour time frame.
Extreme flooding has already impacted many cities in Louisiana and Mississippi, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge. A state of emergency was declared for the entire state of Louisiana on Friday. Roads have become impassable in several cities and a flash flood emergency has been issued for portions of southern Mississippi and eastern Louisiana.
The street my parents live on. Fort St. In Centreville @NWSNewOrleans pic.twitter.com/5quy8VZb6e
— John P. Moore III (@WxTrey) August 12, 2016
Moisture continues to be pulled into Louisiana and Eastern Texas, leading to additional rainfall throughout the day Sunday.
The heaviest rainfall totals are expected in Western Louisiana and parts of East Texas, where localized 2-4″ + amounts are possible.
Later today, the moisture feed will shift further to the north and east. Some temporary drying is likely for early Monday morning across the region. Unfortunately, more rain is expected to move in late Monday morning into the afternoon. The good news is that rainfall totals are forecast to be much less than what has already fallen across parts of the region.
Residents in Western Louisiana and Eastern Texas should use extreme caution over the next 24 hours as flooding and flooded roads can be life threatening.
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