Massive Multiday Storm Triggers Severe Flash Flood Threat Across 30 States

A major flood event is unfolding across the central United States as deep tropical moisture from the Eastern Pacific and Gulf combines with a strengthening storm moving across the West.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms will continue across parts of the Plains through Friday before the focus shifts toward the Southeast and mid-Atlantic this weekend.

AccuWeather Weekend Rain Timeline

• Friday: Heavy rain will persist from Texas into the Plains and Midwest. The heaviest totals of 4-8 inches are expected in narrow corridors from the Texas Panhandle into southern Iowa and from the Texas Hill Country and northern Texas into southern Oklahoma. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 18 inches
• Saturday: The focus of the heavy rain will shift toward the Southeast as a surge of tropical moisture from the Gulf produces repeated downpours and thunderstorms. A widespread 1-3 inches is expected across portions of the Southeast, with locally higher amounts where thunderstorms repeatedly cross the same areas
• Sunday: Tropical moisture will spread farther north into the southern mid-Atlantic, reaching as far north as the Delmarva Peninsula. Locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding can occur, while dry Canadian air is expected to keep the most significant rain south of the Interstate 70 corridor

AccuWeather experts are forecasting that 30 U.S. states will receive at least one inch of rain from this system.

“This is a sprawling, multiday storm that will affect a large part of the country,” AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco said. “Rain and thunderstorms will impact millions of people from the Plains to the East Coast through the weekend.”

The core of the heaviest rain has shifted out of the Four Corners and into areas from Texas to the Midwest, where life-threatening flash flooding remains a significant concern. Drought across the region has left hard, compacted soil less able to absorb heavy downpours and increasing rapid runoff.

The eastward shift of rain will have implications for a busy Weekend of college football and other outdoor events. Rain and thunderstorms could affect tailgating, game-day travel, and play at outdoor stadiums across the South and Southeast Saturday.