Storm system threatens Election Day travel and flooding across Central US
A powerful weather system impacting the Four Corners region is now moving across the Central U.S., bringing the potential for heavy rain, strong winds, and flash flooding to the Mid-South and Midwest on Election Day. More than 35 states and approximately 120 million people are expected to be affected by the storm by the end of the week.
In Arizona, police in Flagstaff reported finding a man dead Monday after he was swept away by floodwaters over the weekend. The state, along with Utah and Colorado, remains under a State of Emergency, with significant flooding still impacting communities. Governor Katie Hobbs declared the emergency in Arizona to unlock funding and resources for affected areas.
The system is expected to bring periods of heavy rain to the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, with a chance of isolated tornadoes beginning in the afternoon. The Midwest will also experience heavy rain and gusty winds throughout Tuesday. Rain is forecast to reach the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Thursday.
Across the Southwest, heavy rain has inundated communities, causing rivers in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado to reach record-high levels, some of which are still cresting. Higher elevations received over a foot of heavy snow.
Severe thunderstorms swept across the Southern Plains Monday, with Oklahoma experiencing wind gusts up to 60 mph. The South faces a continued threat of damaging winds and potential tornadoes, along with 1 to 2 inches of rain, potentially leading to flash flooding. A Level 2 flash flood risk is in effect for northern Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee, including Memphis, through Tuesday night, with a Level 1 risk covering parts of Tennessee and the Ohio Valley on Wednesday.
Heavy rain is anticipated across Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible. While widespread flooding isn’t expected, localized flooding is possible in cities like Omaha, Des Moines, and Minneapolis.
The storm will move towards the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic midweek, eventually impacting the Northeast with heavy rain, potentially easing dry conditions but also risking minor flooding. New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia have gone over two weeks without rainfall, and drought conditions persist in Maine.
Source
“Storm turns deadly as system threatens flash flooding on Election Day in Central US”
Read the original report ↗This story is an AI-assisted version of the original report, checked and edited by the Plainwire desk before publication. Read our editorial policy · Report an error
Read next
Weather threat looms over central US as midterm elections approach
A significant storm system is tracking across the central United States, potentially impacting voter turnout on Election Day. The storm’s origins…
Related
Caught up in five lines
The Brief: the day’s biggest stories, written by our desk at and .