Update: Flooding rains, severe storms impacting Mississippi; flash flood watch expanded
As if the region hasn't seen enough rain over the past several weeks already, another very wet weather pattern is unfolding across Mississippi for the remainder of this week and through the weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) on Tuesday issued a flash flood watch extending for portions of western Mississippi through Thursday afternoon including the counties of Adams, Amite, Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Grenada, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, Pike, Rankin, Sharkey, Sunflower, Warren, Washington, Wilkinson and Yazoo. This does includes the entire Jackson metro area.
"A strong and slow moving storm system in southern Texas will continue to pump in copious amounts of moisture and provide the right ingredients for prolonged moderate to occasionally heavy rain to areas west of Interstate 55 Tuesday night and again Wednesday night into Thursday," the NWS said.
Area rainfall amounts of two to four inches are likely with localized higher amounts possibly approaching six to eight inches.
Very moist soil conditions are currently in place at many locations after recent heavy rains, which will enhance runoff, possibly resulting in significant flooding problems.
The capital city of Jackson is one area that has seen excessive rainfall of late with 8.71 inches over the past month with already 2.05 inches of rainfall so far this month as of Tuesday.
The flash flood watch will likely be expanded to cover much of the state in the coming days as this wet weather pattern looks to extend into early next week with more heavy rainfall likely. Friday appears to be the only totally dry day over the next seven days.
It is possible some areas could end up with rainfall amounts in excess of 10 inches by mid-next week.
If you reside in a flood prone area or near a creek, stream or river, you are strongly advised to stay updated on the latest weather information and be prepared to move to higher ground in case your area is threatened.
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