### Gulf Coast and Southeast Face Severe Weather Threats with Over 50 Million People at Risk

More than 50 million individuals across the Gulf Coast and Southeast are currently facing significant threats from severe weather conditions and flash flooding. This situation arises as a robust surface low-pressure system makes its way across the southern United States. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about severe thunderstorms that are likely to bring substantial wind gusts, very large hail, and the possibility of several tornadoes. These weather conditions are expected to affect areas including central and east Texas, as well as parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle starting Monday.

As the storm system progresses eastward through the middle of the week, it is anticipated to cause heavy rainfall, heightening the potential for flash flooding across the region. A moderate flooding risk has been declared from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle, with heavy rainfall risks extending northward into the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Upper Midwest.

By Tuesday, while the severe thunderstorm threat may lessen, isolated severe storms with heavy rainfall could still impact the Southeast. This is expected as the warm front moves north across the region and the trailing cold front crosses the Lower Mississippi Valley. By Tuesday night, showers and storms are forecasted to spread into the Northeast, with the southern low-pressure system expected to move into the Atlantic by Wednesday.

The South has already experienced several bouts of rain and severe thunderstorms over the past week. For instance, severe storms passed through Texas into Louisiana on Sunday, bringing with them tennis ball-sized hail and triggering tornado watches and flash flood warnings. In Tallahassee, Florida, the aftermath of Friday’s deadly tornadoes and 100 mph winds has prompted officials to urge residents to remain vigilant about the weather. These tornadoes left nearly 20% of Leon County without power.

On Monday, the forecast predicts powerful winds, hail up to 4 inches in diameter, and a few tornadoes as the storms move into the Gulf Coast. Another surge of severe storms is expected to develop across eastern Texas and Louisiana. The heaviest rainfall is projected from southeastern Louisiana to western Florida, with rates that could reach 3 inches per hour. This, combined with Sunday’s storms, could result in up to 8 inches of total rainfall.

River gauges in eastern Texas and Louisiana are still showing high levels from the rainfall over a week ago. The Trinity River, for example, is still in major flood stage northeast of Houston. With several other rivers at moderate flood stage, the region is particularly prone to flash flooding, especially since the soil has limited capacity for absorbing more water.

Texas has been hit hard by a series of severe weather events since early April, including dozens of tornadoes that have destroyed homes and businesses. Softball-sized hail and significant rainfall have drenched East Texas, causing rivers to rise to levels not seen since the floods of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

In early May, over 200 individuals were rescued from homes and vehicles in Harris County, Texas, due to overflowing rivers and submerged roads. Many were forced to leave their livestock behind, and over 150 pets were rescued during the storms, as reported by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

### Facing the Fury: The Gulf Coast’s Battle with Severe Weather and Flash Flooding

In recent days, the Gulf Coast and Southeast have found themselves in the crosshairs of Mother Nature’s fury. A surface low-pressure system, gaining strength as it sweeps across the southern United States, has put more than 50 million people at risk of severe weather and flash flooding. This alarming situation underscores the unpredictable and often devastating impact of severe weather patterns, affecting millions and testing the resilience of communities.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings of severe thunderstorms expected to batter central and east Texas, along with parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. These storms bring with them a cocktail of significant wind gusts, very large hail, and the terrifying possibility of tornadoes. But the threat doesn’t end there; heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding are set to drench the region, with a moderate risk of flooding stretching from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle.

As the storm system marches east through mid-week, its trail of heavy rainfall threatens to extend further north, affecting parts of the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Upper Midwest. The severity of the thunderstorm threat may diminish by Tuesday, but isolated severe storms, heavy rainfall, and the resultant flooding could still wreak havoc across the Southeast.

The South has already been bearing the brunt of nature’s wrath, with several rounds of rain and severe thunderstorms in the past week alone. Texas and Louisiana have been particularly hard hit, with storms bringing tennis ball-sized hail and prompting tornado watches and flash flood warnings. In Tallahassee, Florida, the aftermath of deadly tornadoes and 100 mph winds has left the community reeling, with close to 20% of Leon County grappling with power outages.

Monday’s forecast paints a grim picture, with powerful winds, hail up to 4 inches in diameter, and tornadoes expected as storms barrel into the Gulf Coast. The heaviest downpours, potentially reaching 3 inches per hour, are forecast from southeastern Louisiana to western Florida. This, combined with the rainfall from Sunday’s storms, could see total rainfall reaching as high as 8 inches.

The region’s vulnerability to flash flooding is exacerbated by the fact that river gauges across eastern Texas and Louisiana are still running high from rainfall over a week ago. With soils having little capacity to absorb more water, the risk of flash flooding is alarmingly high.

Texas, in particular, has been subjected to a relentless series of severe weather events since early April. The state has witnessed dozens of tornadoes, leaving behind trails of destruction, while months’ worth of rain has caused rivers to rise to levels reminiscent of the devastating floods of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

In early May, the situation reached a critical point in Harris County, Texas, where more than 200 people were rescued from homes and vehicles as downpours caused rivers to overflow and roads to submerge. The community’s spirit, however, remains unbroken, with rescue efforts saving not only humans but over 150 pets, showcasing the resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity.

As the Gulf Coast and Southeast brace for more severe weather, the importance of staying weather aware and prepared cannot be overstated. The coming days will undoubtedly test the mettle of these communities, but with preparedness and unity, they stand ready to face whatever Mother Nature throws their way.