Potentially life-threatening flooding setup puts millions on alert from Plains to Deep South

Severe weather continues to wreak havoc across the central Plains and Deep South, as rounds of torrential rain and thunderstorms sweep through the region. The FOX Forecast Center has warned of a potentially dangerous setup that could lead to life-threatening flash flooding on Thursday.

The active weather pattern is expected to persist through the workweek and into the Labor Day holiday weekend, with flooding rain and thunderstorms already causing chaos in communities from Kansas to the Deep South. Flash Flood Warnings have been issued in parts of Kansas, where damaging wind gusts and flooding have been reported.

Travel in Kansas has been significantly impacted, with portions of Interstate 35 closed due to flooding. The Kansas Department of Transportation reported closures on I-35 north between mile marker 18 and mile marker 22 near Wellington.

The dangerous weather activity is forecasted to push through the central Plains, Ozarks, and Deep South, shifting the flash flood threat zone to the south and east. The highest flood threat on Thursday spans from southeastern Kansas to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, with NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center placing the region in a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat.

With abundant instability in the atmosphere, intense thunderstorms with rainfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour are possible, especially along and near a warm front draped across the region. Cities facing the highest flash flood threat include Tulsa, Oklahoma, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi. Flood Watches remain in effect in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has also issued a Level 1 out of 5 threat for severe weather in parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana on Thursday. Looking ahead to Friday and the Labor Day weekend, a frontal boundary is expected to stretch from Colorado to Florida, with waves of low pressure sparking numerous showers and thunderstorms. The South will continue to face a localized flood threat due to ample atmospheric moisture.

As the severe weather persists, residents in the affected areas are urged to stay vigilant and heed warnings from local authorities to ensure their safety.