The South is set for another day of relentless rain, thunderstorms and potential flooding, as 33 million people remain under flood watches from Texas into Tennessee.
The downpour comes after heavy rain drenched parts of the South Wednesday and led to disaster declarations in San Jacinto and Montgomery counties in Texas, as well as floodwater rescues.
While less rain is expected Thursday, it will pose significant flood concerns Thursday night across the South due to already-saturated soil and swollen rivers. In southeast Texas, five rivers are forecast to reach major flood stage over the next day or two.
Most places in the South will get 1 to 2 more inches of rain, but up to 4 inches could fall, especially in southern Louisiana, through Friday.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of Tangipahoa and Washington parishes in Louisiana and southern Mississippi on Thursday morning as a line of storms moved into the region, forecast to have wind gusts up to 40 mph. Wednesday, heavy rain and flooding in the state stranded cars and turned streets into rivers.
In Texas, a disaster declaration was issued Wednesday for residents below the Lake Livingston Dam, who were urged to evacuate because of high rising water. Firefighters rescued 17 people and 15 pets from the San Jacinto River floodwaters Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, 19 warnings and two advisories warned of floods and river flooding affecting 23 regions in the state.
Numerous cities from Texas to the Northeast have had more than double the average rainfall for January. For dozens of cities — including Portland, Maine; Philadelphia; Asheville, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Baltimore; and Boston — this January is already one of the 10 wettest on record.
Meanwhile, the Midwest and the southern Great Lakes into the Northeast will also experience periods of light and moderate rain Thursday.
Widespread dense fog is also enveloping much of the country east of the Rockies for the third day in a row, causing travel delays, with hubs like Chicago; Nashville, Tennessee; Pittsburgh; and Cleveland under dense fog advisories Thursday morning, also making travel on roads dangerous.
