Janice R. Andrews
The weather on Saturday, which included constant rain, thunderstorms, and a growing possibility of flooding, caused more pandemonium throughout the Midwest and Southeast. After flooding in Texas earlier in the week that resulted in at least one fatality, the aftermath grew more intense as flood watches extended across a large region, affecting nearly 20 million people, from Mississippi to West Virginia. Concerns were raised by more flood alerts that were dispersed from Texas to Michigan.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that despite days of continuous rainfall, rivers close to Houston are still swelling and causing severe flooding. There have been reports of infrastructure damage as major flood levels have been exceeded in Texas by the Trinity River at Liberty and the West Fork San Jacinto River near Humble. Unsettlingly, the increasing floodwaters caused a century-old bridge—famous for being connected to the infamous Texas criminal pair Bonnie and Clyde—to collapse into the San Jacinto River.
Tornadoes and thunderstorms are a concern to the Florida Panhandle. Through Saturday night, the NWS in Tallahassee issued a tornado watch along with severe thunderstorm warnings that indicated wind gusts up to 60 mph. It is advised that residents exercise caution because these conditions have the potential to harm trees, siding, and roofs.
North American cold temperatures can be dangerous. On Sunday, the Northeast is expecting persistent cold air along with light snow and freezing rain across portions of southern New England. The National Weather Service guarantees that by the end of the weekend, things should get better.
California and the Pacific Northwest prepare for torrential rain. It is predicted that a persistent stream of moisture will move into the Pacific Northwest, covering the coastal ranges and Cascades with at least 1 to 4 inches of rain. Residents should be aware that there may be flooding, as the Pudding River near Aurora is predicted to reach minor flood stage on Sunday, according to the NWS. It is anticipated that other rivers, including as the Tualatin and Luckiamute Rivers, would run higher than usual.
Authorities are asking citizens to stay informed, take the appropriate precautions, and follow evacuation orders when they are given as the country struggles with these weather-related issues. The National Weather Service is still keeping a careful eye on the situation and will update if things change.
